Duke said, “we claim 30 percent absenteeism from the workplace.

We have got statistics together now, we saw copies of attendance registers and we are satisfied that those figures are accurate.” He said the union did not intend that Monday’s action would be a fatal or disruptive blow to Government as it was only a first blow.

He said it was a blow of consciousness.

“If it was a fight, we would have called it a ‘chuck off.’ We are saying to them, ‘Hey, be conscious, we don’t like what you are doing to us. Deal with the arrears, deal with the negotiation, deal with the Occupational Health and Safety issues, deal with the pensions, deal with those issues for us’.” Duke said that if there is no real communication or adjustment from the employer to the employee on those issues between now and July, the union will have the second day of resistance which he said would be a little more intense than the one on Monday. He said the idea of Monday’s action was not to create unnecessary disruption but to send a signal to the employer that all was not well. “So it is not a total shutdown that we were looking for and we never said that.” He said that in any case Monday’s protest was just one of many to come and the PSA was very satisfied with the response it got on the first day. The Ministry of Public Administration on Monday countered Duke’s claims, stating in a release issued late in the afternoon that there were no significant reports of absenteeism.

“Checks revealed no unusual absences or reports of disruption to the normal operations of the Public Service despite calls for a day of resistance,” the release stated. “This is especially welcomed in a period when the country’s productivity is being called into question and its reputation is at stake, especially as we seek to invite much-needed foreign investment.”

Moore was before the court for the May 21, 2009, murder of Wendell Morris, at Springside Avenue, Eastern Quarry in Laventille. He first appeared on the murder charge on August 4, 2009, and presiding over the preliminary inquiry was the late chief magistrate Sherman McNicolls.

In 2010, McNicolls, who was then Chief Magistrate, took extended leave to battle cancer and was later replaced by Ayers-Caesar, after retiring at age 55.

The preliminary inquiry had to be restarted by Ayers-Caesar and progressed until yesterday when she upheld the no-case submission advanced by Moore’s attorneys Daniel Khan and Ula Nathai-Lutchman, on the poor identification evidence, advanced by the prosecution. It was alleged that on May 21, at Springside Avenue, Eastern Quarry in Laventille, Moore along with another person murdered Morris. It was also alleged he along with another person, at the same date and location, wounded Nneka Campbell with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Moore was also slapped with four other charges including possession of firearms and possession of an undisclosed amount of ammunition, both with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

On Monday, Shannen’s parents’ application for funding from the Children’s Life Fund (CLF) was denied by the CLFA board on the ground that her condition was not life threatening and expenses had already been covered. Padarath is calling on Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh to look into the matter.

In a release, Padarath said Deyalsingh was aware of, “the suppression of applications at the Children’s Life Fund”, but was doing nothing. Padarath, who visited the CLFA with Shannen’s parents at the request of Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, on March 31, said he discovered that a data entry Clerk I, was screening potential applicants since 2016.

Several parents he met at the CLFA which is located in the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in Mt Hope, complained about having the same experience of no forms. Padarath said he brought this to Deyalsingh’s attention during discussions at the Parliament Tower, but the situation has not been rectified.

On the day he met with Shannen’s parents at the CLFA, Padarath said, they arrived before him and attempted to get an application form but was refused one for the third time.

They were told that they do not fit the criteria. When he arrived, Padarath added, he told staff they were not responsible for determining whether an application would be successful or not and they should not be screening and suppressing applications at the unit.

After he intervened, he said, Shannen’s parents were given a form. The CLFA accepted the application a few days later with supporting documents.

Padarath said he was surprised and alarmed yesterday at Deyalsingh’s position on the issue.

Welch was yesterday successful in a defamation claim against talk show hosts Devon Welch, Andy “Pitbull” Williams and Juliet Davy, whom he claimed defamed him back in 2010, by labelling him as gay and being guilty of extortion during radio programmes they hosted called The War Room and The Ground Report.

Justice Mira Dean-Armorer presided over Welch’s lawsuit in the Port-of- Spain High Court, where he claimed he was defamed and entitled to damages because of the actions of the three. In her ruling, the judge acknowledged that TT society has not yet evolved to be indifferent or acceptant of alternative sexual orientations.

She said a person’s sexual orientation cannot be of public interest as she dismissed the fair comment defence of the three radio hosts. The judge also dismissed their other defences and held that it was unclear why they were malignant in their programmes.

She also said the words used by the defendants about Welch, were meant to invoke scorn and had the effect of weakening his reputation.

Welch also sued for, among other things, the cost of his car as well as a $16,377 medical bill, as he said the defamatory remarks affected his health.

While he was not successful in his claim for the cost of the car, his medical bills or his loss of friends and acquaintances, Justice Dean-Armorer ordered that Devon Welch, Williams and Davy pay $700,000 in damages and aggravated damages.

The judge also dismissed a similar claim for damages against More FM 104.7, owned by businessman Robert Amar, which was the radio station which aired the programmes. Welch, who objected to a seven-day stay being granted to the three, demanded immediate payment or possibly a down payment by early next week.

As he represented himself in court, Welch said he spent $200,000 on the lawsuit which included buying law books to familiarise himself with the law.

The seven-day stay was eventually granted by the judge who acknowledged that the compensation ordered by the court was a sizeable amount and the three defendants would require some time to consider an appeal.

As he was leaving the courtroom, Welch said it did not matter to him how the three chose to split the $700,000 which they are to pay to him. “They gave their mouth liberty so they have to pay.

Let them pay,” he said.

Yesterday, over 100 workers lined the pavement in the front of TT Post’s head quarters in Piarco, waving placards and demanding workers get proper governance. David Forbes, General Secretary of the Postal Workers Union said workers are dissatisfied with the overall governance of the corporation and alleged bad Industrial Relations practices.

“The governance of TTPost is poor. We have seen a number of top level managers since 2014 departing the organisation and up to this day, they cannot seem to get it right.

We are very much dissatisfied with the situation. Therefore, we call on Minister of Public Utilities Fitzgerald Hinds to address this situation,” Forbes said.

“Just imagine, up to yesterday (Monday), a manager was calling around offices and saying to workers they should not be out here this morning to exercise their right under the Constitution. We are saying that it is a bad practice. We are also saying workers have not been afforded the necessary tools to do the job efficiently.” Forbes said the union wrote Hinds on February 21, who gave an indication that the issues addressed would be dealt with immediately.

“We talk about productivity and how does one be productive? You have to be happy when you come to work on a daily basis. You have to be given the tools to do the job. Motor scooter riders have to be working day in day out and doubling up on motor scooters in the southern areas of this country,” Forbes said.

“We have a number of workers going into high crime areas to work without proper uniforms. They are wearing civilian clothing and here it is the management has an obligation to provide uniforms and safe working conditions for workers and yet we can’t see that up to now. This is a very serious issue regarding delivery of mail in high crime areas,” the union leader said. Also speaking yesterday, Joint Trade Union Movement (JTUM) leader Ancel Roget accused Minister Hinds of, “falling down on the job” in terms of meeting and treating with workers’ issues.

Pierantoni said it was not possible to say how BREXIT will affect the region because the exit strategy has not yet been negotiated. In an interview with journalists following the opening of a meeting of CARIFORUM members of the CARIFORUM- EU Consultative Committee (CCC) of the Economic Partnership Agreement taking place yesterday and today at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre, Pierantoni said that working out the exit strategy will take “a couple of years”.

He said the first thing that will need to be clarified will be the relationship between the EU and the UK and after that the UK will decide how it wants to conduct its negotiations with the rest of the world. However, he said the EU has already said that no fundamental change should be expected in the way it interacts with the region – “the EPA remains there, our regional cooperation remains there, we are continuing our engagement in the Caribbean for years to come.” Renwick Rose, outgoing chairman of the committee expressed concern over the future of banana exports from the Eastern Caribbean to the United Kingdom.

He said bananas were just one example but the same situation relates to a number of other products and some of the islands are even more vulnerable than others in terms of the percentage of their exports and trade with the UK. “So while we look to expand into the rest of the European market, I think it is important to hold onto the access that we have had up to now.” Meanwhile, Gordon Bishpam, Executive Director of the Caribbean Policy Development Centre (CPDC), said that with the UK having officially served notice on the EU of its plans for an exit from the union, BREXIT is imminent and the countries of CARICOM and CARIFORUM need to recalibrate and start to look at the potential for the fallout of the relationships between the CARIFORUM member states and the EU.

The CPDC is jointly hosting the meeting with funding from the European Union and support from the CARIFORUM Directorate.

The meeting is also scheduled to discuss the impact of EU visa requirements on converting market access to market presence; the future of the ACPEU relations when the Cotonou Agreement expires and the status of implementation of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA.

The Caribbean Policy Development Centre comprises 27 regional and national networks and individuals of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and works both directly and indirectly with groups of farmers, rural people, women, youth, church members and artists.

The CAD provided a breakdown of the three main types of warranty before reiterating that it is the responsibility of consumers to understand the Terms and Conditions under which they are purchasing an item/s.

Expressed Warranty This type of warranty should be given in writing, indicating the following:
1) What is covered under the warranty
2) The length of time of the warranty
3) The specific components that are warranted and for what period
4) Whether or not both parts and service/labour will be supplied free of charge
5) The parts which are not warrantied Limited Warranty

This type of warranty covers:
1) Only parts and not labour
2) Certain components, not the entire product
3) Only the first buyer of the product, in the case of second- hand purchases Full Warranty

This type of warranty covers:
1) The entire product for the full period of time warrantied
2) Only certain parts for the period.

Infantino revealed this ambition during his visit to the Office of the President on Tuesday, where he met with President of Trinidad and Tobago Anthony Carmona.

Infantino, who has been FIFA president for more than a year said, “One week after my election, we had the first meeting and we decided to test video system refereeing. Basically there is a referee which is sitting in front of a screen with different camera positons, and in real time can advise the referee if he has commited a big mistake. I am confident for the first time in the World Cup next year we will use videos to help the referee.” Infantino said that the replay system will only be used for major decisions during a match, which can affect the outcome. “The way we are approaching it is really to focus only on game changing situations, game changing mistakes – goals, offsides, penalties only.” Infantino said the goal is not to spoil the flow of the game with too many stoppages.

The replay system would have helped TT in their World Cup qualifier against Mexico last month. A goal scored by TT midfielder Joevin Jones was disallowed for offside. However, the replay proved that Jones was in an onside position.

Infantino also spoke about his aim to have 48 countries participate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will benefit the CONCACAF region.

“This means for the CONCACAF region instead of three and a half teams, with three qualifying and one playing a playoff match we will now have six and a half teams in CONCACAF.

“I believe in the power of football, and there is nothing more powerful in developing football than to participate in a big competition, and the World Cup is the biggest competition. The World Cup is much more than a football competition, it is a social event and the world stands still during the World Cup.” Students from Fatima College, Presentation College San Fernando and St Anthony’s College were invited to meet Carmona and Infantino. In a message to the youngsters, Infantino said, “Believe in yourself is what I could say to all the kids, work, work, work even if you fail, continue to work because one day you will reach.” Infantino advised the aspiring footballers to reach half an hour before everyone, and leave half an hour after everyon

Infantino revealed this ambition during his visit to the Office of the President on Tuesday, where he met with President of Trinidad and Tobago Anthony Carmona .

Infantino, who has been FIFA president for more than a year said, “One week after my election, we had the first meeting and we decided to test video system refereeing. Basically there is a referee which is sitting in front of a screen with different camera positons, and in real time can advise the referee if he has commited a big mistake. I am confident for the first time in the World Cup next year we will use videos to help the referee.” Infantino said that the replay system will only be used for major decisions during a match, which can affect the outcome. “The way we are approaching it is really to focus only on game changing situations, game changing mistakes – goals, offsides, penalties only.” Infantino said the goal is not to spoil the flow of the game with too many stoppages .

The replay system would have helped TT in their World Cup qualifier against Mexico last month. A goal scored by TT midfielder Joevin Jones was disallowed for offside. However, the replay proved that Jones was in an onside position .

Infantino also spoke about his aim to have 48 countries participate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will benefit the CONCACAF region .

“This means for the CONCACAF region instead of three and a half teams, with three qualifying and one playing a playoff match we will now have six and a half teams in CONCACAF .

“I believe in the power of football, and there is nothing more powerful in developing football than to participate in a big competition, and the World Cup is the biggest competition. The World Cup is much more than a football competition, it is a social event and the world stands still during the World Cup.” Students from Fatima College, Presentation College San Fernando and St Anthony’s College were invited to meet Carmona and Infantino. In a message to the youngsters, Infantino said, “Believe in yourself is what I could say to all the kids, work, work, work even if you fail, continue to work because one day you will reach.” Infantino advised the aspiring footballers to reach half an hour before everyone, and leave half an hour after everyon

O’Brien will saddle three winners in each of the races, the 1600 metres turf event, the Champion Stakes for three-year-olds and over.

Magical Victory, third in the Tanglewood Stakes in Barbados last month and Trini Navigator fifth in the prestigious Barbados Gold Cup along with Howsweetitis will carry his hopes in the Chmpion.

And he attacks the Infallibility Stakes for Wet Indies-bred three-yearolds over 1750 metres with Rocket Wheels, Leading Lady and Lord Silver.

It will be a 10-race programme on Gloria Saturday with large and quality fields, which will test the knowledge of turfites to the hilt.

Only last Saturday, one lucky turfite left Santa Rosa Park with a cheque for $62,328.10 on the popular Hi5.

As a result, however, that Hi5 single winner bonus has dipped to just $2,400.00, that along with the $50,000 guaranteed pool.

Also, a single winner on the Superfecta last Saturday pocketed a hefty cheque for $131,069.90 for spotting the combination of Make Some Noise, Well Connected, Lancelot and Impression.

This time around, however, the Superfecta single winner bonus is now just $375.36.

But the Pick 6 carryover has now reached a handsome $4,409.10.

Saturday’s public holiday 10-race programme is timed to get underway at noon.