By Sue-Ann Wayow
THE Public Services Association (PSA) has appointed a new president, industrial relations professional Leroy Baptiste.
Baptiste will officially replace Watson Duke as president when Duke’s resignation takes effect on January 1.
Duke has resigned after years of serving in the post in order to lawfully function as deputy chief secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly THA following the THA’s December 6, general election.
He issued his letter of resignation on December 13.
Baptiste is also the chairman of the PSA’s Water and Sewerage Authority WASA department.
In a media release on Tuesday, the PSA stated that at a Special Conference of the PSA held the same day, the Conference of Delegates accepted the resignation of Duke with effect from December 31 and appointed Baptiste by majority vote as President effective January 1, 2022.
The Association stated, “The Association wishes to thank Comrade Duke for his years of selfless and excellent service to the Association and its membership having acknowledged that he fully immersed himself into his position as President and was totally grounded in his commitment and endeavours to protect workers.
“As Comrade Duke ascends in his career, we bid him farewell, understanding that we have not lost our leader but rather he has accepted the challenge to fight for us in a higher realm.”
The PSA added, “The Association thanks Mr Baptiste for embracing the challenge placed before him and ushers him in with open arms. Mr Baptiste brings with him several years of experience and a wealth of knowledge that will be applied to reach our members in the most efficient and effective manner.”
Section 37 (f) of the PSA’s Constitution states, “When, through any circumstances, an office to which election is made falls vacant, the vacancy shall be filled by a by-election in accordance with the Election Rules, save that, the Conference, may in its discretion, decide whether the vacancy should be filled by appointment or whether it should remain vacant for such time as Conference may decide.”
The Conference shall decide within three months of the coming into being of such vacancy if a by-election should be held, if an appointment should be made or if the post should remain vacant, the PSA’s Constitution also states.
