The Conrad Hunte Memorial Foundation [CHMF], under the chairmanship of Dr. Donna Hunte-Cox, recently concluded its month of activities. When asked about the significance of May, Dr. Hunte-Cox indicated “my uncle Conrad was born on May 9th, 1932. Had he been alive today, this past May 2023 would have been his 91st birthday anniversary. It was therefore most appropriate for the planning committee to schedule our month of public engagements during May, in commemoration of his 91st birthday anniversary.”

He will continue to be remembered for his contribution to Barbados and West Indies Cricket.

Youth development, particularly in the discipline of sports, became his life’s work after he retired as a cricket player. His sudden passing in Australia on December 3rd 1999 has left a legacy which the Foundation remains committed to preserving. The just concluded month of activities was an attempt to preserve that legacy while educating the youth about this St. Andrew nation builder.

Activities had during the month included:
A church service and wreath-laying event on Sunday May 7th at the St. Andrew Parish Church and cemetery.

A Panel discussion and memorabilia display was had on Friday May 19th at the University of the West Indies (U.W.I) Cave Hill Campus 3Ws Oval. The conversation surrounded "The Application of the Values and Principles of Sir Conrad Hunte".

Discussants included Deputy Dean of the faculty of Sports at U.W.I, Mrs. Amanda Riefer, National Cricket Coach Mr. Henderson Springer, Retired Permanent Secretary and CHMF committee member Mr. Elsworth Young, alongside youth ambassador Mr. Taahir Bulbulia. The moderator was Sports Journalist and VOB 92.9FM radio talk show host Mr. Barry Wilkinson.

An invitational T20 cricket match and community 'Lime' was hosted this past Whit Monday May 29th at the "Conrad Hunte Sports Club" in Shorey Village St. Andrew. The afternoon play featured the club's team vs The Barbados Cricket Association's [B.C.A] Select 11. The toss was won by the BCA.

The host team was defeated by the BCA's Select 11 by 55 runs. The overall match summary with run score is as follows:

BCA X1:
151 for 6 in 20 overs
Rashawn Worrell 36
Yvan Grant 29
Tauron Gibson 19
Jermaine Bullen 17

Sir Conrad Hunte X1:
96 ball out in 18.2 overs
Marco Clarke 44
Andrew Yearwood 19

D. Niles 4-19
Tariq O’Neale 2-27
Zidane Clarke 2-7

Attending and supporting the game were widow of the late Sir Conrad, Lady Patricia Hunte of the USA, BCA's Manager of Cricket Operations and Development Mr. Wendell Coppin, as well as Parliamentary Representative For St. Andrew, the Hon. Dr. Romel O. Springer, PhD; M.P, J.P, along with many others.

In his remarks, the BLP member of parliament for the constituency challenged the young players. "I want you to know and recognize on whose shoulders you stand. Persons like Conrad Hunte must be celebrated, his legacy must never be forgotten in St. Andrew, must never be forgotten in Barbados."

He further thanked the organisers for the invitation to be part of the day's event. "It was timely, it was worthwhile in the sense that it gives young ones in the community something to aspire to and it says to us, and to the family and wife and children of Sir Conrad Hunte that we have not and will never forget his contribution to Barbados and to cricket."

The month of activities culminated on Wednesday May 31st with a special visit to the alma mater of Sir Conrad, the Alleyne School in Belleplaine St. Andrew.

Students gathered in the school's auditorium where they all benefited from a history lesson about the former Shorey Village St. Andrew resident. The presentation was led by Chair of the CHMF Dr. Donna Hunte-Cox. The visit was part of the Foundation's promotion of the legacy of Sir Conrad; one who believed strongly in the total development of youth in Sports.

With the aid of a computer power point presentation, inclusive of images of the sports icon, students were told the story of the man, where he lived, about the fact that he attended their school, about his cricketing pursuits and world travels, the knighthood bestowed upon him in 1998/99 and about when, where and how he died; and about his legacy which the Foundation intends to continue.

Dr. Hunte-Cox shared with the young “Alleynians” how cricket is an important element of Barbados' and the Caribbean's sports culture. She further shared about the impact of Sir Conrad on West Indies and International Cricket.

A highlight of the school visit was the presentation to the principal, staff and students of a copy of her uncle's autobiography "Playing To Win".

In acceptance of the donation on behalf of the school, senior student and national wrestler, Mr. Adrian Maynard thanked Dr. Hunte-Cox for her thoughtful gift, indicating it will certainly assist with further educating staff and students about the history of the man who was Conrad Hunte.

At the end, students were treated to an educational display of memorabilia associated with the cricketing legend and past student of the school.

In summary, according to niece and lead organiser of this year's month of activities "What Sir Conrad wanted for Barbados and for cricket in Barbados and the West Indies, was for us to understand that it is more than cricket. Cricket is the medium, but we need to use cricket to develop persons so that they can become better citizens."

The CHMF chairperson further stated that this is what the Foundation has as our fundamental philosophy. "I think that if we an carry the youth of Barbados, we can use them to inculcate personal development skills such as conflict resolution, problem solving, visioning and goal setting etc. By so doing we are able to build better citizens for the future."

In an effort to continue the work of the charity, Hunt-Cox indicated the committee is keen on attracting volunteers of skilled and experienced persons to assist with executing the vision of the Foundation to develop our young sports persons. She is encouraging interested and willing persons to contact the Foundation via email at ProjectConrad_Barbados@yahoo.com.

Article Documented and Images & Video Clips Curated By: Carseen Greenidge || eMail: Carseen@CeegeeBlogs.com

#CeegeeBlogs: “Yesterday’s [April 3rd 2020] mass gathering, at the entrance of major supermarkets in Barbados was witnessed firsthand, and certainly caused me to reflect on - “Where is the thinking?”

Medical evidence to date, clearly indicates COVID-19 is a highly contagious respiratory infection with flu-like symptoms, a runny nose, persistent cough and possible shortness of breath, due to the onset of pneumonia. Persons with pre-existing health conditions are likely to be more badly affected. Some persons die due to complications, while many others recover.

The fact is, the infection spreads from person to person via respiratory droplets emitted from an “uncovered” infected person to an uninfected person, when such droplets enter the respiratory system of the uninfected, to cause them to become infected.

An uninfected person may very well touch an infected surface with his/her hand and then touch his/her eyes, nose and/or mouth with the infected hand, causing the virus to enter his/her respiratory system. That person now, UNknowingly so, becomes COVID-19 infected, and becomes a host for the virus, possibly unknowingly transmitting the disease, even without showing symptoms [asymptomatic], to others with whom he is in close contact. Those close contacts likely become infected, and now they too transmit the deadly infection.

This is how COVID-19 has been proven to be spread so rapidly, via the physical assembly of persons, among whom may be infected individuals, whose droplets are spewed into the air, as they talk, sneeze and cough, and then breathed in by the uninfected persons nearby.

Given the available scientific evidence on how the infection is rapidly spreading [World Health Organization], Barbados’ health officials and the government is advising citizens/people to SCATTER!!! — DISTANCE!!! yourself from others!!! We do not know exactly who around us may be infected, and due to how easily the disease spreads, keeping that safe space around you of about 6feet, where no one else enters, is currently the best safe-guard against contracting COVID-19.

If we each quarantine ourselves, i.e keep our distance from others [at least 6ft], we will contribute positively to ending this pandemic. We need to halt new infections. Every new case of #NovelCoronavirus comes with a “contact history” i.e the many others who were unknowingly exposed to that infected person’s respiratory droplets or the surface he/she touched with his/her infected hands. Therefore, we each have the responsibility to avoid becoming infected and/or infecting others.

We must each be responsible. It cannot get any more basic than this. This practice of distancing ourselves from others is what is described as “Social Distancing” / “Physical Distancing” — It is a non-medical intervention used to curb the spread of a highly contagious disease/infection like COVID-19.

Additionally, we are encouraged to wash our hands thoroughly with soap and water, and frequently. Avoid touching surfaces, avoid uncovered coughs and sneezing in public spaces. If or when we do cough or sneeze, let’s cover it with a tissue and discard, or do so in the inner section of the bent elbow. Desist from putting our hands on our faces, eyes, mouth or nose. This is how we can all halt the spread of COVID-19. If every country halts its internal spread, then this pandemic ends gradually.

What concerned me about the mass gatherings of humans outside of the grocery stores in Barbados yesterday, specifically [April 3rd 2020]- is the lack of thinking among some of us, and the risk to which those who were gathered had put themselves and others— and gathered in such close proximity, like sardines and tuna in a can. Knowing how this disease is transmitted, why would citizens cause themselves to be assembled in such a way? Where was the thinking?

How many of those within the crowds gathered, were infected and were unaware of their infectious state?? How many of them sneezed and coughed while gathered?? How many of the “golf-balls” of the unknowingly infected, were spewed into the air and the faces of others gathered, putting them at risk of infection? What is it that these people needed to have bought, that they could not do without, for 15 days??? Will they die if they did not get what they wanted??? Is gathering chaotically to enter the supermarket of greater value than avoiding the risk of COVID-19 infection?? Do these people who gathered chaotically yesterday have no love and care for themselves and loved ones? Where is the thinking?

What is the obsession about rushing to the grocery store hours before a NECESSARY and MANDATORY 24 hour curfew? The government has assured and certainly demonstrated via its actions, to date, it has the best interest of the Nation at heart. Systems have, and are continuing to be put in place to ensure people have access to food and water and other necessary essentials to survive during the shut-down.

I am extremely disappointed in those fellow Barbadian citizens who contributed to the close gatherings and chaos outside of supermarkets yesterday. Their actions were irresponsible, created a situation for an increase in diagnosed COVID-19 cases and community spread. This situation tells of human behavior during a crisis and the “panic buying” which ensues.

Everyone in Barbados ought to know, by now, what is #NovelCoronavirus, how it is spread and what individuals must do to avoid infection. Everyone in Barbados must know this. Why then did we assemble like we did yesterday outside of supermarkets???? Where was the thinking?

As I conclude, perhaps one can argued the government’s sudden change to a 24 hr curfew to commence within mere hours, contributed to the chaos. Indeed, some citizens were caught by surprise, causing an unhealthy run on supermarkets. Certainly, I appreciate this view, but the diagnosis of new cases is occuring rapidly. As rapidly as the situation evolves, the government must respond accordingly, with decisions and actions, sometimes not convenient for everyone. But as the Bashment Soca artiste “Mole” would perhaps say, “tek de restrictions and breathe…” knowing it is being done for the protection of all.

I implore us, as citizens, to be more responsible by policing our behaviors during this pandemic, in which many lives are negatively impacted.

Let me conclude by echoing the words of Barbados’ COVID-19 Czar Mr. Richard Carter — “Hard ears we won’t hear, own way, we gine feel.”

“Leh we tek it easy and brace we selves” for the possible increase in newly diagnosed cases within the next 14 days; even inspite of the advice, communication and protocols implemented by our most competent public health officials and other government leaders towards managing COVID-19’s presence in Barbados. I remain convinced it is a minority of Barbadians behaving in such a reckless and irresponsible manner.

I do believe the MAJORITY of Barbadians are heeding the advice being given and doing what is necessary to halt the spread of #NovelCoronavirus in Barbados. I commend those of us who are working cooperatively with our public health health officials and government leaders to eliminate “community spread”. Indeed, it is that minority group of citizens demonstrating irresponsible behaviors who must be protected from themselves and other innocent people, even if it requires the use of uncomfortable interventions.

It isn’t too late, fellow Barbadians, for us to self-correct, and work cooperatively with our public health officials, other leaders in government and other stakeholders to stop the spread of this disease, in Barbados. We are in his together! — #CeegeeBlogs

By: Carseen Greenidge | www.ceegeeblogs.com | eMail: carseen@ceegeeblogs.com

Carseen Greenidge is a #Blogger, Educator, Marketer and Communication Strategist with an opinion and interest in human resource management, industrial relations and public affairs.

#CeegeeBlogs: There will be times, sadly, when a serious Trade Union will be left with no other choice but to "flex its muscle" in the sight of an unrelenting employer, when advocating for an improvement in a situation impacting a division of the Union's membership.

Threatening Strike action to interrupt the operations of the work day at a strategic time when it is most likely to result in the greatest impact, is a strategy which the Union implements when all other options have been exhuasted or deemed not as impactful.

In many situations, similar to that between the U.W.I and its Barbados Workers' Union members at that institution, a 'threat of Strike action' is sometimes all that is needed to bring a 'difficult' employer to a favourable position in support of the Union’s request.

But why must a Trade Union have to "Threaten" and actually engage in escalated industrial action, before the employer responds in the favourable manner for which the Union was calling before? Why?

Could it be that it is only then that the employer truly understands that the Union means serious business??? Could it be that the employer is testing the extent to which a Trade Union will go to ensure the fair demands of its workers are met???

It is worthy of note that after months of dialogue and wait by the UWI/BWU bargaining unit, and the communication of its intention to the UWI administration to escalate its protest action with FULL Strike action at the UWI on Friday August 23rd 2019 - The Day on which hundreds of New Students were expected to descend upon the Campus to engage in orientation activities and at which staff are expected to be fully engaged with students - that "magically" at the 11th hour, UWI administration responds positively to the Barbados Workers' Union’s [BWU] "alter call".

This positive response by the University’s administration with its commitment to honour the demands of the Union, was enough to avert what could have been a very disruptive "strike action" at the UWI, which would have likely been broadcast across the region, causing public attention to the UWI; attention, disruption and public outcry from parents of new students etc. which the administration can do without.

The question to be asked is this — what made it so difficult for UWI’s administration to accept and respond favourably to the BWU’s demands over the past 13 months, especially if it is accepted that such demands were fair and reasonable???

This recent development at the university clearly demonstrates that organized workers ought not to relent on their fair demands on the employer, even if it means organizing in preparation for Strike action at the most appropriate time.

Indeed, sometimes, all that is required is a mere threat of escalated action to bring a “difficult” employer to the Union’s “altar”, albiet “kicking and Screaming”.

Trade Unions, workers, must therefore take a position and stand on it and demonstrate solidarity among themselves on the position taken and must not be afaid to use stategically whatever weapons within its arsenal to launch a well calculated attack on operations.

UWI staff can now sleep much better knowing that their legitimate expectation of a 5% salary increase will be honoured, among other commitments.

The view that ‘a war is not won until the battle is fought’ is true. It is also true too that the war is sometimes won when the “enemy” feels threated by the mere act of organization of the opposing side, and the view that the “damage” likely to be done will be far more disruptive than that which is needed.

#CeegeeBlogs #TradeUnion #WorkerRepresentation #UndustrialRelations #StrikeAction #uwiCaveHill #BarbadosWorkersUnion

#CeegeeBlogs:

“HR Matters — Treat People Fairly”

It is good when an aggrieved employee can savour the sweet taste of justice after an unfair dismissal, even after a lengthy wait and much financial inconvenience.

The Barbados Employment Rights Tribunal [ERT] met recently on Tuesday July 30 2019, during which its chairperson, retired High Court Judge Christopher Blackman declared the decision of the tribunal in the case of Deborah Brathwaite vs First Citizens Bank [Barbados] and the announcement of its award of compensation for Keith Lewis, a former employee of the Lodge School.

In the case of Lewis vs the Board of Management [BOM] of the Lodge School [2014], the employee’s dismissal was deemed unfair and for which the tribunal has ruled that the BOM of the school compensate the ex-employee. This recent ERT ruling truly supports the call of the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union [BSTU] that contingent upon being appointed a member of a School’s BOM, appointees must engage in some form of mandatory basic industrial relations training. Certainly, this call extends to Secretary Treasurers of BOMs, their supporting staff and Principals. BOMs must recognize there are labour laws in place governing the employment relationship.

Having sat and listened to the tribunal’s decision in both cases, and Justice Blackman’s commentary relating to First Citizens Bank; it is obvious that his finger is on the pulse of what is happening to workers in some situations, during the course of their employment. His timely call to “follow the rules in firing [dismissing]” was not only to First Citizens Bank, but also generally to employers and their agents. Indeed, employers and employer representatives must be made to understand that that their actions have implications for the organization’s reputation and bottom-line, especially if not taken correctly.

As a student of human resource management and a practitioner of industrial relations management, when wearing another hat, these cases naturally attract my attention.

Furthermore, I agree, human resource managers [HRMs] and officers must truly understand their real role within organizations. HRMs stand midway between the management ‘elites’ and employees. Their job is to manage the HR function effectively and efficiently in line with law and best practice. To ‘Manage’ should not mean throwing an employee ‘under the bus’ when such an opportunity presents, without consideration given to established procedures, and fairness and without regard for consequences.

There is a large degree of employee representation, which should be part of the function of the HR department. HR must be able to see and know when an injustice is being or about to be perpetrated against a vulnerable employee and therefore should prevent such from occurring.

Too often, HR seems to think that their role is only to follow the dictates of higher management when treating to employees, no matter how silly or unnecessarily draconian the action against the employee turns out to be.

An HR practitioner must be highly knowledgeable of employment law, must have a ‘heart’, and must be fair, in all dealings with employee matters, even difficult ones. HR must be able to advise management on proper procedures and practices in industrial relations. Indeed, if the company considers itself lacking competence in this area of Human Resource and Industrial Relations Management, then such skills and advice should be hired in from an independent practitioner.

Yesterday’s decision [July 30th 2019] by the Barbados Employment Rights Tribunal [ERT] in the unfair dismissal case of Brathwaite vs First Citizens Bank is one which should make for interesting reading by Employers and their agents responsible for HR matters etc.

Because of the bank’s flawed investigative and disciplinary process, which led to the unfair dismissal of the employee, compensation will now have to be considered for the aggrieved worker. This is the price the bank will pay for the unfair dismissal of its former employee; and the Bank and others should learn from this experience.

In summary, if there is one thing which my HR colleagues and others can take away from this article is this — “Don’t be so quick to fire/dismiss an employee. Carefully consider the process prior to the dismissal decision. Give the employee a fair hearing. Does the investigative and dismissal process, conform to the requirement of Fairness as stipulated in the ER Act? Is dismissal the only course of action given the circumstances?” When in doubt, seek quality advice from an external third party not connected to the company, even if it means paying for such advice.”

A word to the wise is enough — an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.

#HRmatters #IndustrialRelationsMatters #EmploymentRights #HumanResourceManagement #PublicRelations #PeopleMatter

By: Carseen Greenidge | www.ceegeeblogs.com | eMail: carseen@ceegeeblogs.com

Carseen Greenidge is a #Blogger, Educator, Marketer and Communication Strategist with an opinion and interest in human resource management, industrial relations and public affairs.