By Onika James Wednesday, April 22 2009

President of the Public Services Association (PSA) Jennifer Baptiste-Primus will be cross examined today, on the process involved in the decision to charge, former chairman of the PSA, Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) Section, Watson Duke.

Baptiste-Primus will also be called upon to clarify the determination of those charges, against Duke at 9 am, before Justice Carol Gobin, in the Port-of-Spain Eight Court.

The matter arose out of the disciplinary proceedings against Duke, who back in 2007, had accused the PSA President of undermining him, and trying to take away the autonomy of the WASA arm of the organisation. On Monday, Duke was cross examined by the PSA’s lead attorney Gilbert Peterson, SC when he alleged bias on the part of Baptiste-Primus but, did not provide the evidence to substantiate his claims. Duke narrowed his case to, “he was not given the right to be heard,” and “bias.”

He later said his attorney “was overruled during the disciplinary tribunal process” but, admitted his counsel “was not prevented from stating his case.”

Duke is at war with the union’s executive since December 12, 2007, when he obtained a High Court injunction preventing the PSA, or its President, from holding talks with WASA’s Management on behalf of workers or, taking any disciplinary action against him.

On July 30, 2008, Duke applied for an ex-parte injunction to block the PSA President from expelling him following a rift which culminated in both sides seeking redress in the High Court.

The matter resumes today before Justice Gobin.

Duke is being represented by Rajiv Persad, while, Gilbert Peterson, SC, is appearing on behalf of the PSA.