ROSEAU, DOMINICA | STALWART TRADE UNION LEADER, Kertiste Augustus, Secretary General of Waterfront and Allied Workers Union has died

Updated Saturday, July 31, 2021 at 22:35

We regret to announce that Kertiste Augustus, Secretary-General of Waterfront and Allied Workers Union passed away today.

Kertiste Augustus, who led the island’s largest private sector representative body for nearly half a century, was a close friend, and fellow trade unionist with Patrick John, as disclosed by himself in an interview with Dominican, Radio personality, and archivist, Alex Bruno. He also recently served as Assistant Treasurer of the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP)

I remember him too as an avid sportsman and a footballer and that he was nicknamed, ‘Pallas’. On Tuesday, I was shocked when I read a post announcing that Mr. Augustus had suffered a stroke, and had been admitted to the Dominica China Friendship Hospital yesterday.

His demise comes on the heels of the death of Dominica’s first Prime Minister, Patrick John who died, Tuesday, July 6. aged 83.

Trade Union

In the 1960s, Patrick John founded the Seamen and Waterfront Workers, in Roseau, Dominica. A trade union which formed as a consequence of a falling out over a matter with the Dominica Trade Union, according to Patrick John. The fledgling labour organisation soon found its membership swell, as new sectors of the private sector sought representation from the union led by the charismatic leader. The Seamen and Waterfront Workers evolved to become the Waterfront and Allied Workers Union,(WAWU), with Patrick John as its founder and first General -Secretary.

At the age of 28, Patrick John was elected Mayor of Roseau in 1965, and in 1970, John ran for the Roseau North seat for the E.O. Leblanc Dominica Labour Party and won. He consequently handed leadership of WAWU to Augustus General-Secretary, when he assumed responsibilities in the legislature as Minister of Communication and Works. John would serve as Minister of Home Affairs, while serving as Deputy Premier, and replaced Edward Oliver Leblanc as Premier when Leblanc suddenly resigned, for reasons known only to himself, in 1974.

Football

Pallas like PJ, had a passion for football. I can still see him now in my mind’s on the field at Windsor Park, (now a stadium) I believe he also served for many years as a football official.

The Harlem United Sports and Community Club Executive on its Facebook page noted that, Augustus was “a member of the Harlem Rovers dominant teams of the early 70’s,” adding that he, “was an instrumental piece of the 1973 Harlem Rovers Invincibles Team which won every football competition that year, 4 of them at that going undefeated. “

Colossal loss

As a trade union representative myself, for many years with the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW), I can understand what a colossal this is to the trade union movement in Dominica. On behalf of my wife, Tempie we extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of both Mr. Augustus, and Mr. John, and the wider WAWU membership, and the trade union fraternity.

Kertiste Augustus, who led the island’s largest private sector representative body for nearly half a century, was passionate about membership education, and fought tirelessly towards the improvement of the lot of the employee and their families. Augustus also served as Secretary-General of the Caribbean Congress of Labour in 1883

Official funeral

On Monday July 26, 2021, the Dominican Flag was flown at half-staff on all public buildings, pursuant to the government-declared, Day of National Mourning, as a mark of respect for the former Member of Parliament.

The late Kertist Alphancous Augustus, served in the First Parliament under the Commonwealth of Dominica Constitution Order of 1978 following political independence from Britain on November 3, 1978, as an Opposition Senator from November 8, 1978, to June 26, 1979, and again from July 2, 1979, to April 27, 1980. He received and Official Funeral at the St. Gerald’s Cathedral Chapel on Monday, July 26. 2021.

In attendance were family members and friends, as well as dignitaries including His Excellency the President Charles A. Savarin and Mrs. Savarin; Prime Minister, Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit and Speaker of the House, Honourable Joseph Isaac, Government Ministers and Officials, Members of Parliament and members of the Diplomatic Corps.

The body of Kertist Alphancous Augustus was interred at the Roseau Roman Catholic Cemetery.

He leaves to mourn his wife Lyris and children, Kertiste, Brenda
and Igna, step daughter, Sharon and adopted daughter Shanice.

Further reading

Patrick Roland John ‘Live’ on Positively Dominica DBS Radio April 12, 2006 Hour 1 of 3 (2021). Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKI5BtO1ntI&t=2618s (Accessed: 9 July 2021).

BREAKING NEWS: Kertiste Augustus Secretary General of WAWU has passed away – Dominica News Online (2021). Available at: https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/accidents-tragedy/breaking-news-kertiste-augustus-secretary-general-of-wawu-has-passed-away/?fbclid=IwAR1P-2IBg9Uzb5Uyk23iU4APNrBSAEfWZfSVJUbyjDotxa_LrjfmIDCn4tA (Accessed: 9 July 2021).

Waterfront and Allied Workers’ Union – Wikipedia (2021). Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterfront_and_Allied_Workers%27_Union (Accessed: 9 July 2021).

BREAKING NEWS: Kertiste Augustus Secretary General of WAWU has passed away – Dominica News Online (2021). Available at: https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/accidents-tragedy/breaking-news-kertiste-augustus-secretary-general-of-wawu-has-passed-away/?fbclid=IwAR1P-2IBg9Uzb5Uyk23iU4APNrBSAEfWZfSVJUbyjDotxa_LrjfmIDCn4tA (Accessed: 9 July 2021).

People (2021). Available at: http://www.dfpda.com/people.html#/ (Accessed: 9 July 2021).

The Harlem United Sports and Community Club Executive. Available at: https://www.facebook.com/Harlem-United-Sports-Community-Club-105297856184060/ (Accessed: 12 July 2021).

Windsor Park (Dominica) – Wikipedia (2021). Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windsor_Park_(Dominica) (Accessed: 12 July 2021).

The late Kertist Augustus to receive official funeral; he will be buried on July 26 – Dominica News Online (2021). Available at: https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/the-late-kertist-augustus-to-receive-official-funeral-he-will-be-buried-on-july-26/ (Accessed: 31 July 2021).

Official Funeral today for the late Kertist Augustus • Nature Isle News (2021). Available at: https://natureisle.news/death/official-funeral-today-for-the-late-kertist-augustus/ (Accessed: 31 July 2021).