Senior Reporter
otto.carrington@cnc3.co.tt
Tempers flared yesterday as maxi taxi operators clashed verbally with David Harewood, the acting president of the Route Two Maxi Taxi Association, during a media conference.
Members demanded fresh elections and threatened to protest for Harewood’s removal, while he urged them to adhere to the association’s constitution.
Harewood had called the conference to address concerns such as non-executive members representing the association without permission. However, the event swiftly turned into a heated exchange of words in full view of the media, with dissenting members advocating for new leadership.
Harewood ascended to the presidency after the death of former president Linus Phillip.
The association, a registered trade union, was scheduled to hold constitutionally due elections but this was barred by an injunction filed by the acting president.
Harewood held the injunction in hand as he stood before over a dozen members at the association’s South Quay, Port-of-Spain office. He said he had the authority to lead the association.
“This is the order of the court. It is the order of the court and it was issued by Madame Justice. Unless she lifts this in writing, it is in effect. There were a number of infractions between the executive and officers of this association. These infractions led to us seeking mediation, myself, among the executive and officers. When mediation did not work, I continued to seek further intervention to bring understanding to all. However, it has not worked out, whereby, they understand that we ought to work together and we have a contract,” Harewood said.
This seemed to anger maxi taxi drivers even more.
One stated: “First of all, you have an illegal letterhead and an illegal star, which is not the association’s email address and phone number. So when you come in and talk about illegal and unconstitutional, start with yourself first. You understand?”
Another member said, “Why don’t you call an election for the vice president? Why don’t you call the election? Let us elect someone to represent us. It’s what we, the financial members, want. We need someone to represent us at this stage.”
The maxi taxi operators staged a protest a week ago in front of the Ministry of Works and Transport, calling for a policy change to allow operators to transfer their Priority Bus Route pass and authorisation to their next of kin.
A member said the next protest to be held by maxi taxi drivers will not be against Minister of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan but for Harewood’s removal.
“We are not taking any more from Mr David Harewood. Yes, we have to remove you this morning and if we have to remove him by force, we will use force to remove him. We are going to protest. A protest to remove him because I was standing side by side with you and I don’t find that you are working for my members,” driver Anthony Castillo said.