Confident Agard ready for NUPW race

Kimberley Agard is confident of becoming the next president of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW), even ahead of a court ruling that could delay Thursday’s vote.

Agard, who currently serves as the union’s 3rd vice-president, will face lone challenger Fabian Jones for the post of president after current president Akanni McDowall’s membership was suspended, making him ineligible to contest the elections.

The 37-year-old was in high spirits even as McDowall went to court on Wednesday seeking to postpone the elections by two weeks to give him an opportunity to run and to overturn his suspension.

Agard’s entire team includes Charles Bostic who is running for 1st vice-president, John Parris who is seeking to become 2nd vice-president and O’Brien Smith who is contesting the 3rd vice-president seat.

The other two members, general treasurer Pamela Humphrey and treasurer Roy Greenidge are running unopposed.

In an interview with Barbados TODAY ahead of the court’s decision, Agard said she was prepared regardless of the decision handed down by the court in McDowall’s matter.

“I am confident and hoping that my messaging would have resonated enough with the members that they feel compelled to vote for me and to have my team and I lead the organization,” she said.

“However, we have to consider the resources that were put into the campaign over the past month and if that now has to change and if you have to push the reset button and go again.

“But I am just hoping that if it happens tomorrow, that it means victory for the new guard and the NUPW because with the new guard at the helm it is only progress, growth and redirection for NUPW and its members,” Agard added.

As it related to the injunction filed by McDowall, Agard said it was his right to take whatever action he deemed necessary.

“The National Council would have made a decision and he, like any other member, if they are not happy with the decision, they have a right to take whatever measure they feel they have to take,” she said. (RB)