AGAINST the backdrop of a $10M lawsuit filed by Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University of Guyana (UG), Professor Jacob Opadeyi against President of the UG Senior Staff Association (UGSSA), Dr Melissa Ifill, a supporting union, the UG Workers’ Union (UGWU) has described the move by the VC as “ad hominen, malicious and vindictive.”Last week, legal action was brought against Ifill through a writ sponsored by Opadeyi, for damages in excess of $10M for libel published in a document titled, “Petition of No-Confidence in

University of Guyana’s Vice Chancellor Professor Jacob Opadeyi.” The petition was released by Ifill on June 23, 2015 via email.
According to the court document released on Saturday, Dr Ifill, who is the defendant released the email, which she used as a medium to “falsely and maliciously” publish “defamatory words” against the VC. It was reportedly disseminated to several junior and senior staff members and students of the institution.
Additionally, the VC secured an interim injunction, restraining the UGSSA President and/or her servants or agents from further publishing or causing to be published, sentiments which were expressed in the email.
But while only Ifill was sued, a statement released by the UGWU yesterday disclosed that the Petition of No Confidence was circulated by both Ifill and President of the UGWU, Bruce Haynes. This was however, done on behalf of the Joint Union membership and with their authorisation and endorsement at a general meeting held on June 23, 2015.
Supporting Ifill against the legal action which confronts her, the statement related that, “The UGSSA and UGWU stand by that No-Confidence Petition in its general and specific content.”
The statement further added that 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 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,” the statement said.
The unions also highlighted that this private action by the VC is “diametrically opposed to the spirit of the Minister of Education’s expectation” and public statement, that, “…I don’t think [the Vice Chancellor] would stay in a situation where nobody wants to work with him…”
As a result, the unions are convinced that the move by the VC is an “attack on all staff and the unions.”
“It is an attempt to bully and intimidate and will be legally and vigorously defended” the UGSSA and UGWU said, adding that they are also convinced that this will only serve to exacerbate an already unhealthy atmosphere at UG.
“As responsible bodies, we remain committed to serving our membership and will continue to carry out our work without fear,” the statement concluded. (Ravin Singh)