West Indies players boycott Bangladesh series

[acb]

http://www.cricinfo.com/wivbdesh2009/content/story/413237.html?CMP=OTC-RSS

West Indies players boycott Bangladesh series

Cricinfo staff
July 8, 2009

West Indies have boycotted the upcoming series against Bangladesh because of an outstanding contractual dispute with the home board, according to the West Indies Players' Association.

WIPA president Dinanath Ramnarine said the players pulled out of the series "with immediate effect" after latest talks with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to resolve issues including retainer contracts had failed.

"The players have played their last four tournaments without a contract," Ramnarine said in a statement. "They are now being asked to play their fifth consecutive series without a contract which is highly unacceptable."

WICB president Julian Hunte was confident the series would go ahead as planned. "As far as we are concerned [there] will be a test match on Thursday," he told Reuters.

When contacted, Tony Howard, the WICB's cricket operations officer, told Cricinfo he had not heard of such a move and could not comment on the issue, but that a statement would be released on the status of the series.

The first Test is scheduled to start on July 9 in St Vincent. The series comprises two Tests, three one-day internationals and a Twenty20.

This is not the first time in recent memory that the players and WICB have been involved in a stand-off. Earlier this year West Indies' spring tour of England was nearly severely undermined after it emerged five senior players had threatened to withdraw from the series to play in the IPL. That crisis was averted, only for another talks of a boycott of the fifth and final ODI between West Indies and England after Chris Gayle indicated his team may not take the field if outstanding issues with the WICB remained unresolved. That too was averted.

A similar dispute arose in 2008 prior to Australia's tour of the West Indies. Several senior West indian players considered withdrawing from the first two Tests of the series to remain in the IPL, but returned after the WICB allowed them to skip a pre-series training camp.

[weary1969]

If it was not d norm b4 every series I woulda say dey fraid Bangladesh.

[weary1969]

WICB looks for new Test team
Vinode Mamchan
Published: 8 Jul 2009
Vinode Mamchan
The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) is frantically looking for a new team to play the opening Test against Bangladesh tomorrow, at Kingstown in St Vincent, after the selected squad refused to play. With a US$1M fine hanging over their heads if the match fails to come off, the WICB will be looking to finalise a team today, in time for the match.

President of the West Indies Players Association (WIPA), Dinanath Ramnarine held a hastily arranged press conference, at Prestige Holdings Corporate Box at the Oval yesterday, to announce that the original team selected would not be taking the field against Bangladesh because of a number of outstanding issues that remain unresolved between the Board and WIPA.

Presently, the only players in St Vincent are Adrian Barath, Andrew Richardson and Brendan Nash. The management of the West Indies team left St Lucia for St Vincent last night, but all the players selected on the team and who played against India on the weekend in St Lucia packed their bags and headed to their respective countries.

According to Ramnarine: “The West Indies Players Association and the West Indies Cricket Board met during the England series in the West Indies 2009 to resolve a number of outstanding issues. It was at those lengthy meetings that an agreement was reached on a number of issues, some of which were outstanding since 2007.

“Among the issues that were discussed and on which agreement was reached was the Retainer Contract. There were other matters discussed during the meeting. “While there may not have been agreement on all the issues, the parties agreed to a process for resolving them within a certain time-frame. Unfortunately, not much has changed.”

Ramnarine said the WICB has continued to employ the same tactics and is now reneging on the agreements made at that meeting:

“We at WIPA have made every effort, since our meeting in April 2009 to have the matters agreed upon honoured and those that were still to be agreed upon, resolved in an amicable way. “The fact remains that the players have played their last four tournaments without a contract. They are now being asked to play their fifth consecutive series without a contract which is highly unacceptable.”

Ramnarine said a West Indies player called him last week and asked what was the position with regards to his injury sustained while playing cricket for the West Indies in the just concluded 20/20 World Cup. He said he responded that there was no written contract in place and therefore, any action that would have to be taken would have to be taken in that context.

The outstanding issues are:

I - Settlement of the Retainer Contract, for which fees have already been agreed upon by the parties and comments on the contracts itself, that have been with the WICB for two months now, without any response.

II - Settlement of payments on the concluded tour of West Indies to England (2009)

III - Settlement of fees on the just concluded ICC 20/20 World Cup (2009)
India to West Indies series (2009), Bangladesh to West Indies (2009)

IV - Retainer Contracts/Player Contracts (2008/9)

V - Injury Payments for players with or without written contracts

VI - Unauthorised use of Players IP and Image rights

VII - Clothing Contract

VIII - Arbitration matter, pending since 2007 which includes breaches of the CBA and MOU.

WIPA met with the players in St Lucia on Saturday for almost three hours. The decision was taken that, if the WICB did not meet with WIPA to resolve outstanding issues, the players would not make themselves available for the series against Bangladesh. Ramnarine added that the WICB and WIPA were to meet on Monday and yesterday but the WICB did not comply.

[dwolfman]

How is it that we have arrived at this again? Clearly the strategy of boycott or threatening to do it is not working since it's the same problem coming up time and time again. Why is it so difficult for these issues to be resolved? WICB members and executives coming and going and yet there is no progress. The only 2 things remaining constant are WIPA's executive and their tactics. I'm beginning to wonder if more of the problem is WIPA. Either that or it's only dishonorable men coming on board at WICB.

Which ever way it is we're completely screwed.

[Storeboy]

Steeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuupsssssssssssssssssssss!

[dwolfman]

Apparently a second string unit trained at Arnos Vale this afternoon. This possible West Indies squad:
Omar Phillips, Dale Richards, Floyd Reifer, Travis Dowlin, Cadwick Walton, Darren Sammy, Kemar Roach, Ryan Austin, Tino Best, Kevin McClean, Nelon Pascal

[acb]

Apparently a second string unit trained at Arnos Vale this afternoon. This possible West Indies squad:
Omar Phillips, Dale Richards, Floyd Reifer, Travis Dowlin, Cadwick Walton, Darren Sammy, Kemar Roach, Ryan Austin, Tino Best, Kevin McClean, Nelon Pascal

what the ... Floyd Reifer and Tino Best still playing cricket? - and how Darren Sammy reach in that side? - he not striking too?

[acb]

The only 2 things remaining constant are WIPA's executive and their tactics.

and also some senior players - like Gayle, Chanderpaul, Sarwan - and to some extent Bravo.

The players themselves must have a say in this. WIPA isn't playing the game on the field, they are merely a representative and the collective voice of the players. If the players were not united with the WIPA stance, you would see a break away from the Assoc, like we saw the last time when a few players splintered.


.... another constant would be the WICBs constant closed doors and reluctance to divulge information.

[acb]

http://www.cricinfo.com/wivbdesh2009/content/story/413373.html?CMP=OTC-RSS

West Indies contracts row

WIPA claims 'no response' from board

Cricinfo staff
July 9, 2009

The West Indies Players' Association (WIPA) has accused the West Indies board of not responding to its submission of "marked up" retainer contracts last month and then penalising players for not signing the contracts in time. The board vice-president Dave Cameron, on the other hand, said contracts had not been signed because of the WIPA's "unreasonable behaviour".

On Tuesday, the WIPA announced a boycott by the original squad of the first Test against Bangladesh starting on Thursday and said the players had played for four successive tournaments without receiving contracts. The players' body has released, what it claims to be, the facts, based on meetings with the WICB over the last four months.

On its website, the WIPA says that on March 24 and March 25, the WICB and WIPA met and made proposals with regard to fees for retainer contracts. The board proposed that the most pressing issue was the contracts and fees of first-class players and suggested that this form the agenda of the next meeting. It stated that in April, the two reached an agreement on retainers and fees and the WIPA received a draft copy of the retainer contract; it was asked by the board "to provide documentation with regards to the players Intellectual Property Rights and Image Rights which WIPA did".

Later that month the WIPA "submitted to the WICB what was agreed by the parties on April 2nd 2009 which included the retainer fees among other things". A week after this, the board responded "confirming agreement including the fees relating to the retainer contracts". In May the board told the WIPA it would be willing to discuss the contracts "after it had received the marked up version from WIPA".

The WIPA claims it submitted a marked-up version of the retainer contract to board official Alanna Medford but received no response for a month. WIPA said it did not get a reply after writing to Medford in June that the players were keen to sign the contracts. On June 17, WIPA said, it received an email, also sent to West Indies captain Chris Gayle, from WICB chief financial officer Barry Thomas in which he said: "I would like to address the issue of retainers and wish to point out that the time for signing retainers has passed. Our major sponsor has withheld three (3) quarterly sponsorship payments for October 2008, January 2009 and April 2009 respectively totaling USD 3,000,000 as a consequence of the delay in signing retainer contracts. We have been penalized for not delivering central contracts in the required timeframe. These contracts are required to be signed so that they take effect from October 1st of each contract year." The WIPA said it sent a letter to the WICB president Julian Hunte demanding an explanation for the email but did not receive a reply.

Cameron said each year since the contracts were agreed, WIPA wanted to make changes to the standard agreed form. "They are not prepared to agree on any contracts unless the changes demanded by them are incorporated," Cameron said. According to him, only 16 contracts were signed which did not include "most of the senior players".

On July 8 WIPA president Dinanath Ramnarine said the decision to pull out of the series came after the latest talks with the WICB failed to resolve several issues. "They are now being asked to play their fifth consecutive series without a contract, which is highly unacceptable." Ramnarine said. "When a player called me last week and asked what was the position with regards to his injury while playing cricket for the West Indies in the just concluded Twenty20 World Cup, my response was that was there was no written contract in place and therefore any action that would have to be taken would have to be taken in that context. Professional sportsmen should not be allowed to play any sport that has such a high risk without the necessary protection."

Hunte said the Test would go on despite the boycott and a second-string squad, which included nine uncapped players, was announced shortly before the start of the game. Hunte told Reuters there had been "a lot of intimidation of players" but refused to elaborate on who had had intimidated which players.

Shortly before leaving, Gayle apologised to fans on his Twitter page. "Heading home, sorry to all the cricket fans - this is the last thing we want to happen to the game. Need respect and stop taking us for granted!!"

Tweeps .... follow Chris Gayle on Twitter @henrygayle

[freakazoid]

you see them men who looking to playing on the 4th string team. they need real licks. we cant stand together 4 anything?

[100% Barataria]

you see them men who looking to playing on the 4th string team. they need real licks. we cant stand together 4 anything?

Jus like de football blacklist back in 06/07, we are our worst enemies

[dwolfman]

Something not feeling right with this whole thing. WICB saying that everytime they think an agreement has been reached on an issue they hear a few days later that the same issue is still a problem.

Furthermore I find the timing consistently poor. If there is a problem then come out early on and state that these players will not be available for any WICB commitments until their grievances are settled. Series after series being planned and not a word being said about possible player action until the eve of the tour.

At this stage those guys big enough to make their money in the IPL and ICL. Let them go their way and just leave selection open to whoever want to play. I go try meh hand and we will see proper embarassment. The likes of Tino Best (unless he went through major mental improvement) shouldn't be gracing the field in West Indies colours.

Plus this thing blight, it raining so no cricket playing self.

[acb]

Something not feeling right with this whole thing. WICB saying that everytime they think an agreement has been reached on an issue they hear a few days later that the same issue is still a problem.

I think from past disagreements between the board and the players - you always hear the greviances of the players echoed throughout the press ... but the WICB is always stealthy in their operations - as though they have something to hide.

Furthermore I find the timing consistently poor. If there is a problem then come out early on and state that these players will not be available for any WICB commitments until their grievances are settled. Series after series being planned and not a word being said about possible player action until the eve of the tour.

It's been 5 tours now. The players and WIPA have been threatening, but did not follow through with their word - just so that the game would go on - besides, it's not the players and WIPA who schedule the series, it's the WICB - like the last minute England Tour that ended in a complete annihalation.

At this stage those guys big enough to make their money in the IPL and ICL. Let them go their way and just leave selection open to whoever want to play. I go try meh hand and we will see proper embarassment. The likes of Tino Best (unless he went through major mental improvement) shouldn't be gracing the field in West Indies colours.

Completely agree - but that is what they were doing before the WICB went an schedule a tour of England in almost wintery conditions after 2 other teams had declined to tour England. WICB sniff easy money from appearance fees for the team and send an under prepared team on a mission that was destined to fail from the outset.

Plus this thing blight, it raining so no cricket playing self.

Is not blight nah. Is dotishnes.
Who does schedule cricket in rainy season?

[dwolfman]

It's been 5 tours now. The players and WIPA have been threatening, but did not follow through with their word - just so that the game would go on - besides, it's not the players and WIPA who schedule the series, it's the WICB - like the last minute England Tour that ended in a complete annihalation.

I have no problem with the complain, but with the timing. Each of the 5 times they have disrupted the tour. Not because they did not go through with the threat meant that there was no distraction. Again, declare yourself unavailable EARLY until the situation is resolved. They are as bad as the WICB because they aren't being forthcoming with their intention. You can't say you want the game to go on, but basically sabotaging your own efforts to play effectively.

Completely agree - but that is what they were doing before the WICB went an schedule a tour of England in almost wintery conditions after 2 other teams had declined to tour England. WICB sniff easy money from appearance fees for the team and send an under prepared team on a mission that was destined to fail from the outset.

This is highlighting my point. Why agree to go? It wasn't for the game because not one of them played as if they loved the game. So then was it for money? Again, declare yourself unavaible and cite the previous understanding that they would have been given time to play in the IPL.

In agreeing to play until the very last minute is an attempt to bully the WICB and us the spectators/fans (who suffer from their action). I cannot accept that there has been no contract for 4 (now 5) series and they cannot say well in advance that they will not play without a contract. Not even that England series was that short notice that they could not declare their unavailability.

[dwolfman]

Every story has at least 2 sides... here's an article with an attempt at covering both of them. One of the more balanced accounts I've seen.

One Cricinfo article on the impasse. A 23-minute meeting?

Below are some comments from cricinfo subscribers coming out of the situation:

It's hysterical, incompetence and arrogance in equal measure. I live in South Africa and was an ardent WI supporter, being a black South African and having grown up watching footage of the greats. This current group of administrators and players are either naive or worse, incompetent. The history of the game demands a strong West Indian team and yet we are confronted with mediocre players and seemingly incompetent administrators. Clean up your act or else your support base will disappear as Allen Stanford's millions.

It is just plain stupid. As a West Indian I am angry at both WICB and WIPA. Who do they think is being affected; the fans. The players association just want more and more money. I am not watching any one of them any time soon. Gayle, Sarwan and the others should know better. Dinanath Ramnarine is still bitter with the board that his cricketing career did not take off so he don't care about the fans. Mr Hunte and the rest of the WICB board needs to resign.

The West Indies team can go to hell for all care. Boycott the first test? What makes you think you are entitled to come back. You have shortchanged the fans you... The WICB should take this as the rebuilding cue it needs. Those wastes of spaces like Gayle, Sarwan, Benn, Edwards, Ramdin, Morton, and the rest wouldn't make any other country's C side. I hope the WICB bans them for life.

What a shame, the disease of the WI team since the glory days of the 80s Great world class talents all along, but no proper grey matter to manage them. No wonder this debacle just proved the extremely poor level of motivation dished out. What results can one expect when playing cricket to win is in competition with other issues on the minds of the players. Grow up WICB. You people are a complete disgrace and should drown yourself in the seas surrounding your beautiful islands

[Conquering Lion]

you see them men who looking to playing on the 4th string team. they need real licks. we cant stand together 4 anything?

That is easy to say,  but the reality is that those guys probably not going to see that kinda money in a long time (unless they make the team in the future). Some (like Best) already get banished to the wilderness or have little chance of making a WI team ......so they just there to collect $$. It's also unacceptable to have professional sportsmen playing without a contract. How many of the forumites would work without having a job description or salary proposal?

[weary1969]

Well dey battin 172-8 so when d record books say 1st team 2 loose to Bangladesh if dey eh hold on d money was worth it.

[dwolfman]

2nd team actually. First of the established teams though.

[kaliman2006]

The farce is complete.

What is it with our players and their inability to play spin?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/other_international/west_indies/8148963.stm

Mahmudullah spins Tigers to win 
First Test, St Vincent (day five, stumps):
Bangladesh 238 & 345 beat West Indies 307, 181 by 95 runs
Match scorecard


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Mahmudullah has played 24 one-dayers for Bangladesh
A superb bowling spell from Mahmudullah saw Bangladesh record only their second ever Test victory with a 95-run win against a weakened West Indies side.

Set 277 to win, the home side crumbled to 181 all out as the debutant off-spinner ripped through the batting order with 5-51 in St Vincent.

David Bernard (52 not out) was the only batsman to provide any resistance.

Earlier, Bangladesh lost their last five wickets for 23 runs to finish on 345 with Darren Sammy claiming 5-70.

The victory is Bangladesh's first overseas - their previous win came against Zimbabwe over four years ago in Chittagong - in 60 matches since their introduction to Test cricket nine years ago.

However, their achievement was overshadowed by beating a second-string West Indies side missing 13 of its best players because of an ongoing contract dispute with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

The fifth day began brightly for the home side as Sammy claimed three dismissals for his second Test five-wicket haul.

But with 80 overs to chase down 277 on a wearing wicket at Arnos Vale, the inexperienced West Indies batting line-up succumbed to Bangladesh's triple spin attack.

Openers Dale Richards and Omar Phillips each fell for 14 before captain Floyd Reifer became the first of Mahmudullah's five victims for 19.

Reduced to 85-5, Bernard found support in Sammy, but the vice-captain was dismissed by Shakib Al Hasan to leave the home side precariously placed at 119-6.

But, despite reaching his second half century of the match, Bernard could not find adequate support as Bangladesh wrapped up their historic victory 40 minutes from the scheduled close.
 

[acb]

as much as I am disgusted that we've found a new low when a bunch of West Indian first class cricketers cannot beat at best an amateur side from Bangladesh, it is damn good for us.

We have been tolerating this utter bulls**t from the WICB longer than TT has been putting up with JW antics.

I hope this boycott continues, and I actually hope that it destroys the WICB - they are a poison to the region. Beyond the players refusing to play on behalf of the WICB, we the supporters should REFUSE to support the WICB.

I would hope that there is someway to bypass the WICB and form a proper and responsible entity that governs Windies cricket. This board is, and always has been a problem - and even though it has been manifesting its malfeasances - we continue to support and put up with their nonsense.

The time has come and change must be had.

[acb]

Chris Gayle tweeted this a few minutes ago:

It hurts to see what happen today "Regardless". They want us to apologize for striking,U know 1 man not doing so for not having a contract.

[Dumplingdinho]

dinanath ramnarine is ah big cyat

[rotatopoti3]

dinanath ramnarine is ah big cyat

As much as I despise d WICBC...I agree with you....dat fella out to destroy WI cricket for years now..

Unfortunately d players dont see that....and how can you blame dem if d WICBC aint holding there side of d bargain....

Tis fella definately have ah chip on he shoulder for years and ah have to believe way back to when he was part of d team dat strike during d tour to South Africa....apparently is part of he motivation.....

He burn enough bridges..and doe fool yuhself..he is part of d problem limiting d players from having better dialogue with d WICBC and keeping back contracts b/c he too blasted greedy

Time for he to make room for someone else........

[fishs]

dinanath ramnarine is ah big cyat

As much as I despise d WICBC...I agree with you....dat fella out to destroy WI cricket for years now..

Unfortunately d players dont see that....and how can you blame dem if d WICBC aint holding there side of d bargain....

Tis fella definately have ah chip on he shoulder for years and ah have to believe way back to when he was part of d team dat strike during d tour to South Africa....apparently is part of he motivation.....

He burn enough bridges..and doe fool yuhself..he is part of d problem limiting d players from having better dialogue with d WICBC and keeping back contracts b/c he too blasted greedy

Time for he to make room for someone else........

Wow you know everything about this shyte.
WIPA is a union they are supposed to seek the best interests of the players in consultation with the players.
Most unions are radical and most employers are steadfast, what normally happens is that they eventually come to middle ground and agreement.
The WIPA has used people from OWTU and lawyers to help them establish a position, the WIBC on the other hand has no professional experience in negotiating players issues and that can be plainly seen. Examples would be how the players image rights were not considered when they signed on the dotted line with Digicel. We as fans seem to forget that these guys play cricket for a living , just like how you and I work for a living , the difference is that they stop making money playing cricket in mid 30's and that is only if they can make international, we have no professional clubs (at least no league) and contracts in England no longer are available like in the past.
So when players have to spend most of their time playing for the WI they expect to be compensated on par with the rest .
The board is paid for tours, sponsorship, tv rights etc. The players are not unreasonable to expect to be paid for providing the board the opportunity to make this money and of course player contracts are the norm now.
To emotionally sound off on Ramnarine is naive and plain stupid.

[rotatopoti3]

Fish I am very much for the players getting there salaries and have no issue with your argument.

What I have an issue with is who should be conducting and representing WIPA...

As with any  organization change is imperative....

So Camacho left, Ken Gordon left, others will leave

When is Ramnarine going to call it ah day and move on....time is up....

Let someone else with true leadership skills such as charisma and tact....steady d ship.....someone without EGO..whatever happened to d word Modesty

[fishs]

Fish I am very much for the players getting there salaries and have no issue with your argument.

What I have an issue with is who should be conducting and representing WIPA...

As with any  organization change is imperative....

So Camacho left, Ken Gordon left, others will leave

When is Ramnarine going to call it ah day and move on....time is up....

Let someone else with true leadership skills such as charisma and tact....steady d ship.....someone without EGO..whatever happened to d word Modesty

Yuh still dont understand.
The players elected or selected Ramnarine as the CEO of WIPA.
What differrence would it make if Ramnarine steps aside ?
Will a new CEO ask for less ?
If you fllow the history of this conflict it goes back in recent times to the SA tour when the players decided not to leave London.
How is it since that time they cannot slove the problem, remember Ramnarine was not the CEO of WIPA then.
Everybody felt Ken Gordon could fix it  but people forget Ken Gordon is a businessman and not a cricketer.
I bet if Camacho , Weekes, Murray or Lloyd were heading up WICB we would not be having this cyber conversation.
Julian Hunte, Cameron and the rest cannot truly represent WI cricket because they have not played it , when you have regional boards headed up by people like Singh in Guyana you get to closer understand the problem.
In the meanwhile the Board makes decisions without any care for the stakeholders , namely the players and the fans.

[Controversial]

the wicb need to resign, ramnarine is a boss, hes doing very well

[rotatopoti3]

Fishs......Ramnarine loves to be confrontational...always clashing heads ...I have yet to see an article in d media where he keeps his ass quiet....well he did a little...when he got ah bligh as part of d WICBC

What differrence would it make if Ramnarine steps aside ?

I will tell you the difference....A change in tactics....A new and unchartered environment....new beginnings...

Will a new CEO ask for less ?

I suspect a new CEO will change their tactics...confrontation does not have to be to your face....

I dont see Obama sounding d axis of evil....

At the end of the day...we all have view leadership in different ways..but I for one..also believe in d new...

Hopefully I am wrong and the players will get there salaries...

[Conquering Lion]

Fish I am very much for the players getting there salaries and have no issue with your argument.

What I have an issue with is who should be conducting and representing WIPA...

As with any  organization change is imperative....

So Camacho left, Ken Gordon left, others will leave

When is Ramnarine going to call it ah day and move on....time is up....

Let someone else with true leadership skills such as charisma and tact....steady d ship.....someone without EGO..whatever happened to d word Modesty

Yuh still dont understand.
The players elected or selected Ramnarine as the CEO of WIPA.
What differrence would it make if Ramnarine steps aside ?
Will a new CEO ask for less ?
If you fllow the history of this conflict it goes back in recent times to the SA tour when the players decided not to leave London.
How is it since that time they cannot slove the problem, remember Ramnarine was not the CEO of WIPA then.
Everybody felt Ken Gordon could fix it  but people forget Ken Gordon is a businessman and not a cricketer.
I bet if Camacho , Weekes, Murray or Lloyd were heading up WICB we would not be having this cyber conversation.
Julian Hunte, Cameron and the rest cannot truly represent WI cricket because they have not played it , when you have regional boards headed up by people like Singh in Guyana you get to closer understand the problem.
In the meanwhile the Board makes decisions without any care for the stakeholders , namely the players and the fans.

  Cosign. A lot of people say "dem fellas only want a set of money" not realizing that after age 35, sportsmen do not have a steady stream of income (unless they start early and play for a long time). And they're expected to work without medical coverage/contracts etc. As a sportsman, 1 injury can end a career...

[Deeks]

Rotatopoti3,
                     I beg to differ with your opinion on Dindinath. The players chose him. If they were not satisfied with his performance, they would have voted for someone else. He is not Obama. He is Dindi. He is a union leader, like Weekes, Butler, Shah, Tull, Panday, etc....or NBA, NFL, Baseball union leaders. Baseball strike on several occasions. The NFL had 2 big strikes and NBA were close on several occasions. TT WC players ain't even strike and look what happen to them.