Local News

Verbal political spat between Grenada trade unionists

Ray-Roberts
Senator Ray Roberts

St George’s, October 13, 2013 – Trade union senator Ray Roberts has lambasted labour leader Chester Humphrey for his apparent pro-government stance. Humphrey has fired right back, making no apology in an e-mail exchange with Roberts.

“While you see (Prime Minister) Keith Mitchell as the eternal evil, I see someone who has made several mistakes but has served this country and his people and wants to improve lives. It’s Project Grenada and I’m on board,” Humphrey told Roberts

Roberts and Humphrey have a long friendly relationship but have often differed on political issues.

Both have been supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

However, Humphrey became openly critical of some NDC action while it was in government and was expelled from the party, along with nine others, in September 2012.

Roberts’ loyalty has remained with the NDC and, particularly, its leader Tillman Thomas and deputy Nazim Burke.

After the defeat of the NDC government in last February’s general elections, Roberts secured the backing of a majority of members of the local trades’ union council (TUC) to become the labour representative in senate.

His appointment by the TUC ended Humphrey’s tenure as labour senator, which had spanned more than two decades.

The latest spat between Roberts and Humphrey erupted after Humphrey’s appearance on a television program hosted by the Government Information Service.

During the program, Humphrey highlighted what he considered achievements of the government, including jobs for construction workers and plans for a TUC-backed national health insurance scheme.

The committee drafting the framework for the national health insurance scheme is chaired by Humphrey.

However, Roberts was not impressed with Humphrey’s television performance and sent him an e-mail letting him know that.

“Chess (Humphrey), you sound(ed) as a man looking for an NNP work,” Roberts e-mailed. “You looked a very sorry picture on GIS TV.’’

In his e-mail response to Roberts, Humphrey wrote: “When I supported the NDC to your heart’s delight, I wasn’t looking for work.”

Further, “what I do may not be music to your ears, but this is Project Grenada’’, Humphrey added.

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