ERT asked to intervene in dispute

Head of Government’s COVID-19 Monitoring Unit Ronald Chapman has been placed before the Employment Rights Tribunal (ERT) for unfair dismissal.

However, the claim against Chapman by a former employee, is associated with his role as Managing Director of Argon Pest Control Incorporated, a private company located at Risk Road, Fitts Village, St James.

In a letter from the Labour Department dated February 9, 2021 and addressed to the Chairman of the Tribunal, Laurison Mayers, writing on behalf of the Acting Chief Labour Officer, the ERT was informed that on July 24, 2017, Shibbir Greenidge made a complaint to the department via his attorney Khamaal Collymore, that he was unfairly terminated on May 12, 2017.

“In accordance with Sections 32 (1) and 44 (1) of the Employment Rights Act 2012, the Chief Labour Officer refers this dispute between Mr Shibbir Greenidge and Argon Pest Control for consideration by the Employment Rights Tribunal,” stated the correspondence signed by Mayers.

That document outlined the terms of reference on which the Labour Department expected the Tribunal to act stating: “To determine and settle the dispute between Mr Shibbir Greenidge on the one hand and Argon Pest Control on the other hand, over claims by Mr Greenidge that he was unfairly dismissed by the employer.

In providing background to the dispute, the Labour Department informed the Tribunal chair that a conciliation meeting was held on April 26, 2018 at the department to resolve the matter.

The labour authorities noted that the claimant indicated he was employed as a pest control agent from May 8, 2002 and at the time of his dismissal he was still employed in that capacity.

“During the meeting, Mr Greenidge stated that he was requested to sign a confidential agreement on or about May 9, 2017.He refused to sign the agreement on the grounds that it would limit his ability to work for himself if his employment with Argon Pest Control ended and was subsequently dismissed on May 12, 2017,” the letter read.

The correspondence went on to say that the claimant sought compensation under the Fifth Schedule Section 2 (2) (a) of the Act.

“Mr Ronald Chapman, Managing Director of Argon Pest Control denied that Mr Greenidge was unfairly dismissed and requested an adjournment to seek legal representation. Since then, in a conversation with Mr Chapman, he indicated that he has no intention of paying Mr Greenidge any compensation since he (Mr Greenidge) was not unfairly dismissed,” wrote the Labour Department official.

The letter further indicated: “The matter was not resolved and is now referred to the Employment Rights Tribunal for further action.”

When contacted this afternoon by Barbados TODAY, Chapman said he was not commenting on the dispute at this time. (emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb)