Public Services Association (PSA) President Watson Duke says he is sorry for using a racial slur on Monday.
Duke’s apology came during a press conference yesterday evening at his office.
The PSA president’s remarks sparked criticisms after he used the N-word to describe persons of African descent as he urged them not to vote during the Local Government elections.
“I called upon Afro-Trinibagonians to not vote for the PNM that was qualified we felt that we were badly treated and therefore if the government does not settle negotiations we were not going to vote. Being a master of “the art form of language, we had to use extreme language to get the attention of the PNM administration.”
He said, “By no means have I or the people I represent in the Public Services Association sees one race above the other race, we believe in equality and we don’t believe in using derogatory language to refer to any race and while the “N” word is used in multiple applications, the only application that persons from the opposing side, those persons who were very antagonistic, the only position they saw were Watson using a racial slur and belittling African males.”
The PSA president said he considers himself a true African and he can date his roots back to his great-grandfather back in Africa and he understands his African roots.
Duke added in no way was he denigrating the African race in this country and he is sorry and apologetic for using the “N” word.
“To those on the red side and yellow side, I want to say sorry to them that they missed my message and I am sorry that you took advantage of one word and cast the message aside,” Duke said.
He continued, “I wish to restate my message again, which is that if public officers don’t receive money by December 2nd the date of the Local Government Elections, the PSA will be launching a no vote campaign.”
But in the middle of his apology, he also dropped a bombshell, saying he will not be stepping down as PSA leader come November 30.
A few months ago, Duke told the media that he was stepping down to pursue his career in full-time politics and gave the November deadline.
He revealed he will not be stepping down as yet and did not give another date for his exit.
“I am stepping down soon but not November 30th and I have no reason to give for that I am President and I am the legitimate president, he said.
“I am ready for PSA elections right now and I never lost an election”, the PSA President said, “When the elections are called it’s not up to me but the membership”.
In the meantime, the PSA president said he is calling on all his members to join him on his no vote campaign and cast away and burn polling cards.
He said the reason to do this is that the PNM government has betrayed public officers.
Duke responded to a release issued by the People’s National Movement.
“I want to say to my members that the words in the release is not true”, he said, “ I am calling upon the Prime Minister to produce the records that the government paid 60 billion to public officers in all categories. Up to now Civil Aviation has not been paid, NP workers and T & TEC workers have not been paid, who you have been paid with this 60 million and if the government cannot show the records they should retract the statement and the Prime Minister should call the elections”, Duke said.
He said his union will produce a list of those who were paid in 2016 and those who were not.
The PSA negotiations are currently before the Cabinet.