MNI Media
Thursday, May 18, 2023
A settlement has been reached in the Industrial Court of Antigua & Barbuda in the unfair dismissal case against Cricket West Indies (CWI) involving Former West Indies Selectors Mr. Eldine Baptiste and Mr. Courtney Browne.
A Consent Order was entered into on the 12th of May 2023, between the respective Attorneys of both parties concerned.
In a letter dated 10th April 2019, Courtney Browne, who was the former Chairman of Cricket West Indies selection panel and his fellow selector Eldine Baptiste, were both informed that their services were no longer required by CWI after March 31st, 2019.
According to the letters both men received, there was reference made to a Task Force that was being established to review the selection, noting that this task Force would have been chaired by then CWI Vice President Dr. Kishore Shallow. The letters further indicated that Dr. Shallow was expected to present recommendations to Cricket West Indies at its board meeting in June 2019. However, both Browne and Baptiste were dismissed before a review took place.
A day after they were fired, the newly elected President, Mr. Ricky Skerritt, explained that there was a review of the system of selection.
Following from their sacking, both men claimed unfair dismissal by Cricket West Indies under the Antigua & Barbuda Labour Code, with Browne having served as a CWI Selector from 2010 to 2016 and as Chairman of Selectors from 2016 to 2019. Baptiste served from 2014 to 2019.
This matter has been before the Labour Court in Antigua & Barbuda for the past four years where Browne and Baptiste took CWI to court based on their respective entitlements under their contract of employment with CWI and the rights and privileges afforded under the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Code. They sued for full compensation to include loss of immediate earnings; future loss of earnings·, loss of protection, loss of gratuity and fringe benefits, and damages including exemplary damages for the manner of their terminations.
The Court sided with both men with a final settlement of their claim to include12 months' salary; gratuity for 15 months of engagement; and legal costs.
The Law Firm of Thomas John & Weste represented Browne and Baptiste, with Loy Weste being led by Mr. Anthony Astaphan S.C. on behalf of Courtney Browne. London based Barrister Owen Roach who is also an Attorney in the Caribbean represented Eldine Baptiste.
