High court overturns order for PSA to pay ex-president Watson Duke pension during ongoing lawsuit, Duke to repay funds
A High Court Judge has overturned a prior ruling that mandated the Public Services Association (PSA) to pay former president Watson Duke a pension during his ongoing lawsuit. The PSA announced Justice Marissa Robertson’s decision in a press release yesterday. Watson Duke had sued the PSA in June, alleging the union violated his employment contract by withholding his pension after he resigned in December 2021 to assume a brief role as Deputy Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly. He secured an injunction in June, claiming he was experiencing financial hardships, including missed mortgage payments and a $130,000 credit card debt. However, Justice Robertson reversed the injunction, stating it was unjust to grant Duke relief, especially since he might be unable to repay the pension if he loses the case. Duke was ordered to repay the $18,875 received under the injunction and cover the PSA’s legal costs. While Duke’s main lawsuit is still pending, the PSA remains confident in its defence and has counterclaimed that Duke was wrongly paid a $203,850 gratuity.
