Members of staff of the Dominica Olympic Committee (DOC) are expressing disappointment after they were given marching orders on Friday morning by DOC president, Felix Wilson, and Secretary, Thomas Dorsette.
Reports indicate both men entered the office and ushered the three staff members to the board room where they were given dismissal letters.
One of the letters, dated March 1, 2013 to Avonelle Seraphine, the Administrative Secretary and signed by Dorsette, stated in part, “We are in the process of restructuring the operations of the DOC and as such your position has been made redundant…”
The letter also stated, “…since in your capacity as a staff of the DOC you have been privy to confidential information, you are not to divulge any information while not being on staff…”
The executive of the DOC met on the evening of February 28, 2013. At that meeting, they discussed the leaking of information from the DOC’s and according to reports, some board members felt uncomfortable about it.
Wilson and Dorsette proposed that the staff be dismised.
This was agreed to by all, except vice president Cedric Harris and Glen Ettiene.
The staff members are not represented by a union. The Waterfront & Allied Workers Union (WAWU) was approached on the possibility of the union taking up the matter with the DOC.
DNO understands that WAWU will be meeting with the DOC to discuss the matter.
Meanwhile, Treasurer of the DOC, Phillip White, vehemently denied being part of the group that wanted the workers booted. “I don’t know what you are talking about … the people are at work,” he told DNO.
He also denied writing and signing the final cheques for the staff although his signature is on them. “I sign blank checks,” was all he said.
The staff has vowed to fight and it appears much more will be heard on this matter in the future.
OMGosh some naïve innocent young lady gonna get a job where crookedness is the air that’s there,’child’all that glitters isn’t gold!something is up, to make a position reduntant and employee something in that same “department” suspicous
WHICH ONE THAT???? HAHAHAH
The secretary was fired under the pringle administration. She was reinstated by the past DOC.
Now this new DOC fired her. What is going on
When you point a finger at someone ,three fingers are pointing back at you.Something has leaked so they have to fire!Restructuring!what is their to restructure ,i guess they going to do all secretarial work and messagering?With that restructuring no possibilities of leakage,keeping it tight.What are they possibly protecting? Their good work? No evidence of that ,alleged corruption,well you be the judge!
Skeletons in the cupboard and their staff had the keys! They were afraid that cupboard may be opened for all to see who & what is hiding in there but it is too late fellows. Skeleton-keys were made!
I wonder what the IOC would say about that.
Someone should investigate the house these men represent their member associations.
There is no transpiracy in this,something is very very wrong.
I understand the that point that board members were concerned……but to what extent? To who or whom is that “leaked information ” relevant and to what extent are they really concerned? Is it a plot to undermine sports in Da? What’s really going on??
Who are the staff memebers who were canned.
you do not need to be a people person to do this job. he is not a politician. I keep reading people saying about there was no warning. when people get fired, they cannot be ‘warned’. they just get fired. that’s how it works. the reason they were fired is another issue altogether.
People were locked out of the DOC Elections. Now they Fireing workers. Give them a chance to run the Country. It is difficult to believe that those who criticize Government every day will do such things.
Anyway admin, am disappointed you didn’t post my comment. But I can always get the word out some other way. I see the athlete who shall remain nameless has a decent looking manager. Maybe I will tell him.
No employer gives no employee notice that they are going to be fired, You go to work as usaul they give you are letter stating that your service is no longer needed and you must take your belongs and leave the premises.
What u expect, leaking of information. It is good for employeess to leak information to you, but not from you or your association? The world is a circle. All u like to get information about what is happening with the PM. Do so never like so.
I like that comment
It sounds like there is a scandal brewing. Only time will tell. I think we need Lennox to investigate that one too like the IPO. Lol.
Are you having problems with your Website? I sent the first message and I got booted out of your Website. I also noticed that it is slow. Thinking that you did not receive my comment, I tried to re-send it and was informed that it is a duplicate. What is going on?
Employers, management always find a way. It is rather inconsiderate of them especially in a country as Dominica to dismiss staff without previously, formally informing them that their services are no longer required. You people are heartless. What goes around comes around in time. At a distance, God is watching from above.
This has nothing to do with Luan!
What did these people do or not do? Do they know too much?
And the plot thickens. The more i hear about the operations of the DOC, the more convinced i become that the appropriate authority should audit the organization, look into its operations, and publish the findings.
No different from the IPO inquiry into the ownership of the famous villas.
There is something funny about some of those men in those organisations there…they are out for themselves and who can scrathe their backs. Some of them tricksy and smiling with you while others rough and tumble with no tact. They do not care about people who are trying to eat and drink and work hard. Is do for me and I’ll do for you…and who cares////I have my other job where I getting big money.
So I volunteering but getting paid with trips and other incentives…while staff will work hard and get their little salary and get no other incentive… but who cares?? I am a big man…well set up already and you did something to me…or I think you like someone who is against me then I cut you down.
I mean so much confindentiality is wanted….for an organisation that should be there to help all..fairly.
my my my…sports politics….too much drama since that last election foolishness…..but to fire your entire administrative staff….boy….look things…..if is spiteful they spiteful..they will suffer..and if they did not like something the staff did…I wonder if it warranted firing…….a meeting or some warning could not help?
Yes, mama…look deybah…..
my teacher asked me today in class, where do i see my self in 10yrs i sadly stood up and said “overqualified and underemployed and stuck in Dominica ” now don’t get me wrong, i love my country, but sadly i fear for my future…..now not trying to make this about politics but what the hell is our government doing to solve these problems in our country
looking ahead to the future, it’s dog eat dog, things need to change before there isn’t a future for the children of tomorrow
Restricting an institution with 3 people.Ha Ha. The president and Vice President wan 2 continue 2 put their hands in the money.100,000us dollars. The people must know something.Lets get rid of them, that’s all.
Is the DOC a private club?
So you will fire me and then tell me not to say what was going on? Man, I would sing like a seekeeyay!!!
Young people in Dominica will never move forward. Sorry Socccer players you all were denied the opportunity to see a few MLS soccer teams from the US and Europe play friendly games in Dominica this month and next year. You all was also denied the opportunity to secure soccer scholarship and tryouts with Soccer teams from the US and Europe.
Also you the young people were denied access to the state of the art Soccer Stadium in Dominica.
Yes, the DOC and the DFA are onnected in the sense that the latter are affiliated to the Dominica Olympic Committee as are various other sparts associations in Dominica, as is for instance the DAAA (Dominica Amateur Athletic Association).
– The Dominica Commonwealth Games Federation shares offices/telphone numbers & mailing address with the DOC.
– The Dominica Olympic Academy ditto.
– The Dominica Lawn Tennis Association ditto
– The Dominica Archery Association (president is Robert Blanchard) uses the same mailing address but is located at 14 King George the V Street. It is shown with both the DOC telephone number and one allocated to GrandBay secondary school (446 3249).
These are just a few and it would be interesting to see the details of all the local associations affiliated to the DOC and the cashflows generated from international federations and donors that sponsor the development of sports in Dominica. Very intersting indeed!
The funds should be frozen -What a joke -I only sign blank cheques -there is the problem no accountability. The board should be given there marching orders as well.
No due process? Pure Donald Trump moves that!
So everywhere is letting go staff… No wonder university graduated including myself can’t get a job here.
What university did you attend and did they teach english?
Create your own employment, don’t waste your university training.
Well we shall wait and see -remember there is no smoke without fire.
These are real people with real lives. I cannot believe this!
But the board cannot explain alot of things. I am hearing that certain members of the board are seeking jobs and allowances.
They were practically fired without warning, asked to remove their personal possessions and while they were still standing there in shock the doors were shut in their faces.
whapn u take that personally man padner? u think this has to do with a hotel room in England? lmao..u dont even know the details yet u wanna make someone suffer with ur self righteousness? Try minding your business for now n let the organisation deal with its internal matters..meantime continue working n feeding ur family..thats if u have a job or a family.. if not go find a job.. or a gyal
Secretary general are you being facetious.
So how these men traveling like that is the DOC a gold mine? Mr President please justify your travels on behalf of the doc. Is it that some members taking trips just to get an allowance check?
The executive under Pringle and Joseph was a much better team. That administration cared about the athletes, the development of the athletes and the development of sports on a whole. The various Olympic Sports Associations executives should take a vote of “No Confidence” of the present administration. There has to be some clause in the IOC constitution for a vote of “No confidence against the NOCs. Kudos to the president of the DAAA for taking a stand against this, but you too need to clean up your backyard and stop being so self serving.. Remember you were an athlete yourself and the associations will not exist without the athletes….Remember that!!!!
So those elections were just a time bomb waiting to happen? There is more to that story. Those people innocent, something is very wrong here.
Mouth open, towree jump out
The only thing that the DOC staff did wrong is knowing too much. An investigation into the conduct of the DOC is the way to go.
ladies and gentle men Welcome to progress. (calypso 2013)
*citing
in the first place their is no Dominica Olympics committee. These people are full of they are only eating funds received and are not doing their jobs
Is only when they get pressure that is when they call meetings
where are the funds that were supposed to be given to the different Olympic academy across Dominica?
i need to know since i am a role model
Role models are not anonymous!
Perfect comment!
Why do we need a Dominica Olympic Committee (DOC)in the first place? How many “Olympians” are they responsible for and does the benefit of having the committee outweigh the cost especially knowing the reality that we do not have Olympians?
How many official staff was there (3 = 2 = 5 already)? And can Dominica really afford that?
We have more officials than athletes at the Olympics.
The Dominica Olympic Comittee is given an allowance of US 100,000 every year from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Swizerland to improve sports on the island. They do not receive any subsidey form GOVT.
But how is it that everyone is firing, making redundant or outsourcing these days?
IT’S BECAUSE THINGS TIGHT.. NO MONEY TO FURTHER PAY EMPLOYEES
If this is so, then the authorities should be honest and admit to the staff that they are out of funds and can no longer continue to employ them.
no prior notice, just like that??? oh oh
I SMELL A RAT
I smell two rats.
Me too
the head rat
I am sure there is much more to the story than that.
I cannot believe what am hearing, restructuring an instituion with three people, impossible, they have something up their sleeves
What madness!! What madness, Was that a Board decision? Restructure, “BULL”. These guys up to something, its too glaring. The National Assocviations need to seek an explanation for that, call a Special meeting for explanation. Who advised these mad men. Dictatorship creeping into the DOC too. The evil that men does lives with them. Mark my words folks
Welcome to the real world. Everyone’s expendable.
don’t worry wilson and dorsette will get their day…!
Without any heads up or previous warning? Employees are being treated nowadays like they’re expendable. Shame.
Welcome to the real wotld. Everyone is expendable.
They lie. The decision to fire the staff was taken before that meeting by a few. The meeting was to convince the others with a mascarade of lies. How could they without giving them a hearing.
Playing with Person’s lives.Seem to be happening often with little regard to people on the opposite end.