No appeal to a higher court in STKO-case

August 04, 2011 12:19 PM

Osvaldo Emerenciana, the dismissed chairman of Aqualectra trade union STKO will not appeal to a higher court against the verdict of the judge.

Last week, the judge ruled that dissatisfied members had dismissed Emerenciana and his board in a lawful manner. Although Emerenciana does not consider the judgment correct, he announces he will not appeal to a higher court.

Last week’s judgment ends an eighteen-year period in which Emerenciana had managed STKO. However, this morning Emerenciana expressed severe criticism on the judgment. “If in first instance there are insufficient members present for a meeting then the latter can be closed to convene another within a period of one month. In my opinion, this formulation does not mean one could not immediately reopen the new meeting. As board, we always stuck to the rule in keeping several days in between. However, the judge did not put us in the right.”

Emerenciana states he does not agree with the judgment but that he will not appeal to a higher court. “With which funds am I to appeal to a higher court? I cannot afford this. Therefore, I must accept it but that does not mean I agree.” According to the former STKO chairperson, it is now up to the members to decide on the future of the trade union.

During the meeting of June 16th, in which Emerenciana and his board were dismissed, a temporary board was appointed with the purpose to organize new elections within three months. However, according to Emerenciana, there is considerable resistance amidst members on the conduct of this temporary board under leadership of Rudsel Pieter. “The members do not find the board’s conduct elegant. Many members want new elections. I personally signed a list yesterday of dissatisfied members requesting elections.” Emerenciana does not preclude he will participate with the new elections if he is asked by the members. However, until now, nobody has asked him as candidate.

3 August 2011