Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has presented an update on the Vescott Jones matter, stating that it is currently before a tribunal. Former Security Officer Vescott Jones of Marigot was reportedly fired for allowing then Leader of the United Workers Party, Lennox Linton, who was leaving Dominica, to dispose of a quantity of cooked crab backs at the Douglas Charles Airport since he did not have the required permit to travel with them.
The incident occurred on October 19, 2014 but blew up in the local media in December that year when Linton revealed that the security officer was fired as a result of the episode.
The UWP leader had labelled the matter as an example of political victimization against people from Marigot but Dominica Air and Seaport Authority (DASPA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Benoit Bardouille, had said that Jones failed to follow the standard procedures which security officers operate under, hence his employment was terminated.
As it stands, an industrial tribunal hearing is still ongoing in which Jones, through his lawyer, Gildon Richards, is appealing Bardouille’s decision, claiming unfair dismissal and seeking compensation.
“The Vescott Jones matter is before a tribunal,” Skerrit said while addressing a recent press conference. “And I did in fact met with Mr. Jones some time last year with an effort for me to seek to intervene again, but I think that some of the things he was demanding I was not in a position to carry those messages, so the matter will remain with the tribunal to determine what is the outcome of this situation.”
Following the incident, Jones described his life after the dismissal as hard and painful.
His lawyer also revealed at the time that Jones has not had any full-time employment in six years and has been making a living out of meagre means.
In a letter, dated December 15, 2014 Bardouille informed Jones of his dismissal, saying that by allowing Linton to return the crab backs, Jones had caused the authority to lose confidence in him as an employee and that he had operated in violation of standard operating procedures.
Linton labeled the incident as an example of political victimization against the people of Marigot.
But Bardouille told DNO during an interview in December 2014 that security officers operate under standard procedures and Jones did not follow them.
“The gentleman in that case did not follow the process,” he explained. “He took the decision on his own without consulting with his supervisor and allowed the gentleman to return and bring the item back to a person.”
He stated when such incidents occur, a disciplinary process is required and normally takes place.
“If you have anything in relation to a member of staff, a disciplinary matter, there is a disciplinary committee that is set up and it goes through a disciplinary process, the person has to defend themself,” he noted. “The gentleman, his union and at the time a lawyer who was assisting the union, came to the hearing and there were a number of things raised at the hearing. The whole process was continued and the disciplinary committee at the end of the hearing made a decision.”
He said the decision of the disciplinary committee was communicated to his office by letter.
Up to now the article does not state what are the standard proceedures… don’t you think the public would like to know DNO?
What are you a Jacka or an A.Before you are employed you must first sign a contract outlining the terms and condition of employment,disciplinary matters are involved.Go get a Fxxxxxx copy of the Labour laws.The guy knew what he had to do,because he is a supporter of UWP with politics on his mind he deliberately,willfully and maliciousl committed a disciplinary offence.Them same people confiscated a portion of smoke pork I brought in from the USA.Linton is sitting in his expensive mansion,talking foolishness on q95 everyday and you guaying for his sake.He should give you $1,000 every month from his retirement benefit.Jacka.
With all the lawyers in DA not one decided to take up thos case on his behalf. this matter should have been settled in court, he should get paid for wrongful suspension, all the years he had not earned, pain and suffering and distress. sue gov for 30 million.
That is News too? What does that have to do with the general public?
Your asinine comments, as usual, are exactly what we expect from an immoral, slow-witted, despicable, human antique.
A whitehead geriatric like you should be empathetic to others as old age humbles you. But no, giving your unswerving support to the detestable and wicked actions of the Roosevelt’s dictatorship is of paramount importance to you. Nauseating little, old man!
The reason why this matter has been prolonged is that you have a Lawyer
who is corrupting the Law for political gratification and a dishonest Politician, the sad thing is Vescott Jones is being manipulated by these two individuals, who know each other. Bardouille’s decision to dismiss Vescott Jones was made by interpreting the Law as it stands with his employment agreement with Dominica Air and Seaport . If Gildon Richards is claiming an unfair decision by Bardouille’s decision to dismiss Vescott Jones, then he should go to the Court for remedy and stop playing such a sinister game with a political agenda.
@Gary
Vescot did the right thing. Those who sent him home knew that their sction was both political and wrong.
Judging from your brainless comments, if a neurosurgeon were to split open your cranium to perform surgery, instead of locating a human brain he would find concrete that is used in construction.
Such a melancholy specimen of a human being.
Did you have to use a sledge hammer to kill a fly?
ten years is definitely not within reasonable time. how are those actions allowed within a society governed by the rule of law?
This wickedness becomes pervasive and continuous when most of civil society remains stoically indifferent and nonchalant as innocent, law-abiding citizens are
terrorised and dehumanized by the incumbent, tyrannical regime.
On this particular injustice, how could the law fraternity, clergy, news media and the whole civil population sit idly by tight-lipped without being outraged?
The silence from civil society on this and other outrageous atrocities the Roosevelt led oligarchy has become more emboldened. Look what they have done to the seven US tourists lately?
What’s next? Will they arrest Pastor Rodney for speaking up for the poor and against their numerous misdeeds?
The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men. This is exactly what obtains n Dominica today.
he has yet to state the decision of the disciplinary Committee. having one infringement is no reason to dismiss someone from employment. this story makes no sense. plus this is a constitutional violation, such that section 8, affords a fair hearing within reasonable time by an independent and impartial court established by law.
If “wrong and strong” had a face. Boss, go get Linton et al to get you back your job. See what happens when ordinary citizens compromise themselves to save politicians? If you had caught me under the same circumstances as Linton, you would have roughed me up. So, face your heat, bossman. I have no sympathy for you.
Just like you have missed an eye you are missing half your brain. You are just adding to the cacophony of noise coming from the potty-mouthed supporters of the rogue regime.
Doesn’t the wicked treatment meted out to this once dedicated civil servant rest on Roosevelt conscience? Sorry, I heard he doesn’t have one. It walked out of his head when he became ruler and have never returned.
Karma is real. It surely catches up with evil doers. Mr. Vescott Jones was summarily dismissed for being courteous. He should be compensated forthwith.
For such a dastardly and wicked action against an innocent citizen, Roosevelt should
be referred to as Smiling Lucifer. Dominica, where is the outrage?
This case is one of many atrocities I ave no respect for Roosevelt. No one, not even the best lawyer on the planet can justify this most egregious sin.
Ten years for this blatant transgression of the labour laws to still be before a tribunal unresolved only happens in the most extreme communist countries. Some of the worst dictatorships in 2024 are North Korea, Myanmar, Russia, China, Syria and Comics is trying fiercely to be in this top tier.
That is the stupid thing about the guy.Linton is taking bread out of his mouth but cannot give him biscuits.Man go to Linton go to UWP,make them give you a job.Since 2014 the high and mighty UWP cannot give you a job?For 24 years they are always saying they know how to create jobs.LIARS.
Linton cause him to lose his job.Linton should give him a job.Foolish foolish man
It’s for reasons like these, that i’ll NEVER support a brutal, wicked, evil, desperate, hearless, leader like Skerrit, or his Skerrit Labour Party.
What is the crime, that the young man committed that justifies this long suffering, while Skerrit is ‘living the life of riley’, with XCD$64000.00 of our tax money every month, and some more thousands for utilities?
If this is not CRIMINAL, i wonder what else is!!