The National Trade Union Centre (NATUC) is demanding answers from President Christine Kangaloo over her reported plans to not renew the contract of Industrial Court President, Deborah Thomas-Felix.
In a release, NATUC says it has been reliably informed that Thomas Felix’s contract at the Industrial Court will not be renewed at the end of the current term.
Thomas-Felix is presently out of the country, and was reportedly contacted by the Office of the President and told that her contract of employment will not be renewed.
The NATUC added that the Industrial Court, as a superior court of records must be respected and treated with the dignity that it deserves.
“This action speaks not only to the disrespect of Her Honour, Deborah Thomas Felix, but by extension the Industrial Court, the other judges and staff and has the potential of undermining the very tenets of good industrial relations practices and the Industrial Court,” the NATUC said.
“ The NATUC sees this action as a fundamental breech of good industrial relations practices, the very essence of which was sacredly espoused and upheld by Her Honour, Deborah Thomas Felix, during her 12 years as the President of the Industrial Court. To deny someone, who has given 12 years of laudable and unstinting service to the Judiciary and the government of Trinidad and Tobago, and who has brought the highest level of professionalism to the Industrial Court, the opportunity to continue the honourable service to her country, can be deemed as ruthless and callous,” it said.