Two union delegates accused of extortion get bail
EWARTON, St Catherine – Two National Workers Union (NWU) delegates who are accused of demanding money from a contractor employed to the Windalco plant in Ewarton, St Catherine were Wednesday each offered bail in the sum of $300,000.
The two men, who appeared in the Linstead Resident Magistrate’s Court to answer charges of demanding money by menace, are 45 year-old Talbert Smith and his 43 year-old co-worker, Barrington Hudson, both of St Catherine. According to court records, in February of this year both men went to company contractor, Richard Bennett, and told him they were NWU delegates who had the power to disrupt company operations unless they were paid.
Their fee was $50,000 each, every two weeks.
The contractor reported the matter to the Linstead Police Station and on April 30, lawmen went to Bennett’s home in Rose Hall District, where they held both men as they allegedly attempted to receive payment.
They were reportedly found in possession of $100,000 in marked bank notes.
Both Smith and Hudson were later arrested and charged.
During their appearance in court Wednesday, it was further revealed that they would be facing additional charges as they have been collecting union dues from the Windalco workers but have not handed the funds over to the National Workers Union.
In granting the men bail, Resident Magistrate Leighton Pusey instructed them to stay away from the contractor. They were also warned not to contact the company’s unionised workers, and to stay away from the company compound.
Both men were then instructed to surrender their travel documents to the police. Hudson is to report to the Greater Portmore police station four times per week while Smith is to do the same at the Linstead police station. They are to return to court on May 28.