Prime Minister Stephenson King addressed WASCO employees on Friday morning. It was day three of protest action for the employees who began a go slow on Tuesday, walked off the job on Wednesday leading to massive shut downs of the national water system. The workers had demanded a meeting with the Prime Minister or Communications Minister on a number of issues including privatization

of the water company. The Prime Minister says at an emergency Cabinet meeting on Friday morning – the government agreed to implement the recommendations of a Committee appointed to investigate WASCO with particular emphasis on the privatization issue. The seven immediate recommendations include the payment of severance pay to employees dismissed from the former water company WASA in October 1999.

One of the many reasons given for the privatization of the water company by the then SLP government was to make it more solvent and profitable. The Prime Minister says capital will be injected into WASCO to ensure the government – to own 100% of the company – makes that happen. He says the Economic Affairs Ministry will do this in two approaches.

The WASCO employees are represented by the NWU and the CSA. Both Unions declared satisfaction with the outcome of a process they attributed to dialogue. The Transport Minister also expressed satisfaction with the outcome. Guy Joseph says it is one that was not done in haste or over threat. He says it will ensure the company remains in the hands of Saint Lucians for the foreseeable future.

WASCO employees filed out of the CSA Centre with relieved and smiling faces. The Prime Minister says they can expect to get their full severance package on December 11th.

deadly. Dr. Fredericks says health officials are deeply concerned about high risks groups like pregnant women and individuals predisposed to illnesses. Additionally she says people with no pre-existing health issues should not take threat of the H1N1 influenza lightly.

To date 6 patients in Saint Lucia have been hospitalized with serious complications linked to the H1N1 influenza virus. Dr. Fredericks says most cases are treatable and the prognosis has been favorable due in large part to the early diagnosis of health care professionals.

Officials say the first swine flu related death pre-dates the official closure of the special flu clinics which signaled the end of the first wave of the outbreak. But Dr. Fredericks warns that a decline in the numbers of cases should not lead to complacency on the part of the general public. She has also recommended that people experiencing flu-like symptoms seek medical attention immediately at any of the healthcare institutions island wide. The Public is also advised to continue to practice proper hygiene by washing their hands regularly.

.Boniface Paul of Palmist, Soufriere, has reported his brother Joseph Sylvester of bully yard, Soufriere, is missing at sea. Paul says his brother left shore about 4pm on Thursday November 5th on his fishing vessel to get a line that was cast out at sea, not too far from the sea shore. After some time Paul noticed the fishing vessel, but did not see his brother on the boat.

He left shore in search of him, but to no avail.  Family members say the missing man has a history of epilepsy.
The marine unit of the royal St. Lucia police force is currently conducting a search of the Soufriere harbor. In the meantime, a police investigation is continuing.

cutlass showed up on the family’s door step where a fight reportedly ensured between the assailant and the woman’s father. The alleged harasser was stabbed in the abdomen as a result of the skirmish and is currently receiving treatment at hospital. During the scuffle, the young woman’s mother’s hands were allegedly slashed by the cutlass wielding attacker. The family alleges the man has been making unwanted advances towards the young lady for months and the matter has been reported to the authorities. The alleged victim denies she and the would-be stalker were ever romantically linked.

The man reportedly has a long rap sheet and a history of trouble with the law. He was recently shot by police in the lower extremities in connection with a previous assault on the woman and other offenses. This incident allegedly took place while he was out on bail for these offences. The family says they are under siege

But the family of the man known simply to Mon Repos residents as Jules tell a different story. His sister – Lucy Joseph – herself often a victim of threats from the accused – says she was stunned when she heard the news of the altercation and subsequent stabbing.

Following the recent violent clash several charges for various offenses have been preferred against the alleged Mon Repos stalker. No word yet on whether the young woman’s father will be charged in connection with the stabbing incident. Jules is a convicted felon who has served time at the Bordelais Correctional Facility for the attempted murder of a Dennery woman he had a relationship with.

Joseph has accused certain members of the National Taxi Union of playing politics. A similar charge was leveled at the Union’s President a few years ago by disgruntled operators who attempted an unsuccessful dismissal of him from the top post. The Transport Minister has called on taxi operators to know who they are standing with.

The Taxi Union President says the livelihood of taxi operators are in danger from a driver training program the Ministry started in October. He says it is an attempt to train owners of H plate vehicles to replace existing taxi operators.

The Minister appeared dumbstruck that this might be the reason for a threatened strike. Joseph says the course is offered by the Continuing Education Department of the community college and is open to all interested persons. He says he has no control nor does he know who is taking the driver training program.

Lucien Joseph says he will write to the Prime Minister and copy it to the two Ministers he accuses of attempting to sabotage the taxi sector by next week. He says after that the government will have one week to respond or face the consequences.

A host of activities including panel discussions, church services, men’s health clinics and a theatre presentation by Che Champeche will be held to celebrate the IMN’s men’s week. The activities will be held from November 7th to 14th. Innocent says the International Men’s Network’s aim of seeking to foster men’s development will be no easy task, but the organisation is up to task.

In an effort at encouraging men to attend Sunday’s activity the IMN will give prizes to those present at the Che Champeche presentation called ‘Nom yo couwaye –dousbout!’ Men’s week activities will culminate next week.

This year special homage will be paid to the late Dorothy Pilgrim, who served with the ex services league for decades. The Governor General also highlighted the plight of veterans who she says form one of the more vulnerable groups in society. She encouraged persons to support the poppy drive as a small measure of recognition of the price that veterans all over the world paid for peace.

World War One broke out 95 years ago on July 28th, 1914. The traditional laying of the wreath will take place at George the Fifth Park on Sunday.

Malcolm Burns expressed concern that reading as a pastime has been relegated to obscurity by an avalanche of technological advances and distractions. Burns says reading is also a vital part of the growth and development of young people. Courts wanted to rekindle interest in reading through the competition that took its queue from a contest conceptualized by the Dominica Broadcasting Service. Burns says nurturing the love reading requires the support of educational authorities. He credits Ministries of Education through out the region for becoming willing and enthusiastic partners in the venture.

Educators were mindful of the elocution prowess of the competitors and their ability to read effortlessly. The judging panel comprised of two veteran educators and star publisher Rick Wayne. The St. Lucia Leg of the contest was won by Quaine Henry of the La Croix Maingot Secondary School. He was the lone male in the eight student competition.

providing negotiating strategies and tips to agents. The workshop was also aimed at equipping them to attract new membership. Vaughan Skerrit is ECCO’s agent in Antigua. He says the organisation is laying the ground work for the growth of the copyright movement in that island. Philgence says the organisation still has quite a lot of work to do when it comes to sensitizing writers and performers of music of their rights and the need to keep abreast with their affairs. ECCO was established earlier this year – its main offices are based in Sans Souci in Castries.