‘Seven’ sacked

Diamonds boss Jacob Hassid.

By Mike King | Thu, May 03, 2012 - 12:12 AM

Diamonds International revealed yesterday that it had sacked seven employees – not 20 as stated by union boss Sir Roy Trotman – and it was all because of behaviour unbecoming.

The jewellery store’s case was put by attorney-at-law Alair Shepherd, QC, who said: “I am in a position to confirm that no 20 people have been fired and the seven who were terminated were terminated on legal advice and on recommendations received from their supervisors.”

Shepherd also said the decision to terminate was prior to a union meeting on Saturday and Sir Roy was wrong to say the terminations were due to workers attending that meeting.

In a fiery speech at a May Day rally on Tuesday, Sir Roy, general secretary of the Barbados Workers Union, threatened to call out his troops to deal with what he called was an act of unfair dismissal. “You cannot fire a man because he went to a meeting, because the laws of Barbados permit freedom of association,” Sir Roy argued.

Read the full story in today's DAILY NATION.

Share your thoughts

Please sign in or register to post your comments.

Page 1 of 1 pages

Posted by Tony Waterman 1 year, 1 month ago: I Just hope that Sir Roy is a big enough man to admit that he made a error in putting his mouth in gear before his brain was ready to travel, and to Issue a formal Apology to Mr.Hassid,whom he had Racially Slurred, and let's also hope that there will not be anymore episodes of this type, as we don't need to be Racial like Guyana and T&T.

I Like
I Dislike

Comment Link

Posted by Payel Garcia 1 year, 1 month ago: As they say in the language of the lawyers the case is save suffice to say it consists of admissions. Whether it is 7 or 20, the company fired staff so Sir Roy's comments cannot be totally ignored.

I Like
I Dislike

Comment Link

Posted by Frank Husbands 1 year, 1 month ago: Whats with these jewelry stores in Bridgetown seemingly always firing groups of workers? I thought gold was at a record high.

I Like
I Dislike

Comment Link

Posted by rainn redd 1 year, 1 month ago: I am all for freedom of speech but the printing of the comments @ ADOLF HITLER is appalling! i don't know if the entry is suppose to be 'tongue in cheek'! nonetheless, the whole content from the username to the point of view is absolutely disgusting & scary!...... NO, i am NOT Jewish!......& YES, as a long termed union member, i strongly believe in employees' rights!

I Like
I Dislike

Comment Link

Posted by yogi Ni 1 year, 1 month ago: Why is it, that every time that the issue of racism is raised in Barbados that BLACK UNCLE TOMS run to the RACIST defence. Let us not fool ourselves, Barbados is one of the most racist place on earth. I had a very bad racist experience two weeks ago outside of Barbados that will impact my life as long as I live. Racism is real and it will always be with us. Why does this man want to pay his workers less than the Laws of Barbados say they should be paid. I my humble opinion Sir Roy was right to say what he said.

I Like
I Dislike

Comment Link

Posted by D. Stoute 1 year, 1 month ago: I yearn for the day when those of us who are supposedy in positions of authority, and thus setting an example for the young ones, will not blithely open our mouths and firmly insert a foot. Perhaps we should first get the facts straight before we start foaming at the mouth, name calling and running off half cocked. It matters not how hot, bothered and angry we become. Everyone gets angry. How we react to our anger in the public space is another matter. When the facts shout that we are wrong, it behooves us to practice humility AND DECORUM and apologize to those we offend.

I Like
I Dislike

Comment Link

Posted by Kimgi Brown 1 year, 1 month ago: Frank, it doesn't have anything to do with gold being at a record high. It is an issue of human resource management. Some Bajan workers must learn to exhibit more acceptable behavior, especially when dealing with customers directly such as in jewelry stores. Also, some workers can be influenced by their peers thus leading to a small clique of workers who demonstrate rudeness and other unacceptable behaviors. Those workers who have been informed of the need to change and still refuse to do so should be fired - whether it is one of them or a group of them. Else, keeping such workers on the payroll can have negative consequences. It can lead to lower morale and productivity of the entire workforce as well as result in low quality customer service. Collectively, these issues translate into fewer sales and lost revenues thereby affecting the firm's profit levels and its ability to maintain existing employment levels.

I Like
I Dislike

Comment Link

Posted by shabizz asban 1 year, 1 month ago: How hypocritical of you mr. waterman.here you a condemming Sir. Arthur for racial slurring,yet you openly critique two of our long standing nieghbours and caricom member countries as being racists. how yuh living?