UG unions say VC’s lawsuit is “malicious, vindictive”
, [www.inewsguyana.com], Source
The University of Guyana Workers Union (UGWU) and Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) are of the view that the recent lawsuit by the Vice Chancellor Professor Jacob Opadeyi against UGSSA President Melissa Ifill is a personal attack on the trade unionist.
Opadeyi has already secured an interim injunction against Dr. Ifill over some remarks she made about him and is seeking over $10M in damages over a statement released by Ifill on the 23rd day of June, 2015.
In a statement to the media on Wednesday July , the Unions pointed out that Opadeyi only named Dr Ifill in the lawsuit when she was acting in behalf of the UGWU and the UGSS,
“This private action by the VC that specifically names the UGSSA President is a signature action by Professor Opadeyi in the sense of being ad hominen, malicious and vindictive and confirms the rationale for the issuance of the Petition of No Confidence,” the statement noted.
According to the release, the Unions find it unprecedented and most unhelpful that the Vice Chancellor sought recourse to the law against the President of one of our two unions notwithstanding Section 7 (1) of the Trades Union Act, which states that unions, or their members or officers, cannot be sued for actions on behalf of their union.
“We see this suit as an attack on all staff and the Unions. It is an attempt to bully and intimidate and will be legally and vigorously defended. We are convinced that this will only serve to exacerbate an already unhealthy atmosphere at the University of Guyana,” the release stated.
