The former CEO of the Eastern Caribbean Collective Organization for Music Rights (ECCO) Steve Etienne has awarded a substantial payment through media proceedings to settle his lawsuit against ECCO for wrongful dismissal.
Etienne was fired from his position as CEO of the music copyright society by letter dated 14th December 2017. In that letter signed by then Chairman of the Board, Martin James, the main reason given for the dismissal of Mr Etienne (who built and developed the OECS wide entity) was “misappropriation of the financial assets of the organization”.
Etienne had always strongly denied that accusation and promptly filed a lawsuit against ECCO for wrongful dismissal in accordance with the provisions of the Labour Code of St. Lucia.
After receiving service of the writ ECCO filed its defence. However, as the court process commenced, it was proposed that the matter be settled by mediation rather than have a full-scale trial. It is generally agreed that when a defendant agrees or suggests mediation subsequent to being sued it is because the defendant and/or its legal counsel has concluded that it is highly unlikely that it will prevail at a trial. The defendant opts for mediation as a way of limiting its expenses on legal fees, damages and costs.
Etienne was always confident that he would prevail in a court of law, but he reluctantly agreed to mediation. The fact that at mediation ECCO agreed to a substantial payment to him with interest and costs in settlement of his claim vindicates him and is positive proof that ECCO’s claim of misappropriation of financial assets was totally bogus and without any basis in fact. In Mr Etienne’s estimation, his unfair dismissal was motivated by jealousy, greed and malice on the part of certain members of the Board of Directors of ECCO.
ECCO is a good idea those composers/musicians have to get paid, but that so far has remained so basic. To date my recollection from stated accomplishment they have only so far most of their collected money is for big millionaires like Elton John, Justin Bibber, Michael Jackson’s estate, maybe just a little for Machel Montano but much of it don’t stay in the Caribbean. I may be wrong but give us some good news stats. How about picking up from people that play dem loud sounds and noise by the roadside without permit, they’re a nuisance in Dominica anyway.
Someone tell me, is there any way we could blame Skeritt or the Labour Party for this? Am yet to figure a way to malign them regardless how hard I try. It’s going to be a horrible day for me. Can’t blame Skeritt
Someone tell me, is there any way we could blame Skeritt or the Labour Party for this? Am yet to figure a way to malign them regardless how hard I try. It’s going to be a horrible day for me.
Stop bringing Skerrit in your rubbish. Any happening, Skerrit’s name comes up. Are you all jealous of the man or what?