Addinton Forde, cultural officer for research and documentation, was sent into retirement with immediate effect Friday, after the NCF board invoked Section 8 (1) of Cap 384 of the Statutory Boards (Pensions) Act.

Saying the case was currently in the hands of the National Union of Public Workers, Forde told the SUNDAY SUN the whole issue was "personal", because he had stood up for his rights.

According to a Press release issued by the NCF on Friday, Forde, who reached the retirement age of 60 this year, was given notice of the board's decision on July 21, but subsequently opposed it.

The NCF said Forde had initially agreed to the decision, but later indicated opposition to it; and this was followed by discussion and negotiations between the NCF and his representative, the National Union of Public Workers.

"The NCF communicated to the union that it would agree to the proposal presented by the union once certain conditions were met by Mr Forde," the Foundation stated, adding that both the union and Forde had failed to respond to the NCF's proposal, while Forde had failed to meet the conditions of that proposal.

As a result, the NCF's board had exercised its option to retire Forde.

"Notwithstanding, the Foundation wishes to take this opportunity to thank Mr Forde for his years of service in culture," the release added.

But Forde, who has worked with the Foundation from its inception in 1984 and then had an unbroken stint from 1986 until Friday, said he had worked under several bosses including NCF heads Elombe Mottley, Dr Elliott Parris, Freddie Forde, Antonio "Boo" Rudder, Allyson Leacock and Estwick, but was not particuarly impressed with the latter.

"Of all the people I've worked for, nobody has ever treated me this way," he said.

Forde also said there were at least two NCF staffers who are over his age, so it had nothing to do with reaching 60.

Colleague Ashanti Trotman said he was standing beside Forde and did not believe someone who had contributed so much to culture should be treated this way. (RJ)