Kertist Alphoncous Augustus

Kertist Alphoncous Augustus was born in Roseau on 02 August 1947 to Harry and Sylvia Augustus (deceased) and lived in Long Lane, Roseau along with 13 brothers and sisters. He is described as an easy going, sympathetic character, listener, and advisor even at a young age. The eldest of the bunch, Kertist enjoyed the freedom the rivers and beaches afforded, gradually developing the technique, talent, and passion for swimming. Always generous with his time, experience, and knowledge, he would eventually take the lead in teaching numerous neighborhood kids the art form of swimming and diving off the jetty. His love of soccer and cricket first took hold in the shadows of his father, Harry Augustus, and his talents continued to blossom during his formative years at the Roseau Boys School and the Wesley High School. 

Also, an academic, Kertist attended the Dominica Grammar School where he sat the General Certificate of Education Examination at Ordinary Level and excelled in English Language, English Literature, History, French, Chemistry, and Biology. He was a member of the School Cadet Corps and of the Literary and Debating Society. Moreover, he was an outstanding sportsman, representing the Dominica Grammar School in athletics, football, and cricket, at the Inter-School Tournament in 1965. He was subsequently selected to join the Dominica National Cricket Team as an off-spinner and participated in the Cricket XI Tournament held in Grenada. It was during this tenure on the football field that he gained the nickname “Pallas” for never appearing tired, staying on the field for the entire game while others took a much-needed breather. 

His quick ascension within the ranks of the School Cadet Corp confirmed his innate character, presence, intellect, discipline, and leadership abilities. As a result, he was quickly roped into the Waterfront and Allied Worker’s Union while at school in 1967. His skills, abilities, and talents eventually led to his succession of Mr. Patrick Roland John as the organization’s General Secretary in 1970. His loyalty, ambition, enthusiasm, and strong sense of duty and selfless service played a significant role in bolstering both the union and the working class during Dominica’s turbulent industrial climate. He believed in and epitomized the motto “Out of Many, One Worker”, and tirelessly worked to improve the union’s effectiveness, strength, and relevance in Dominica by providing all members with proper representation. 

Considered a key player in the foundation and development of the union, Kertist along with the early fathers of the Union were involved in formulating plans, programs, and objectives that would serve as the North Star for the union. He adamantly and routinely promoted the interest of its members, which measurably advanced the economic and social well-being of the workers in Dominica. Under his astute management, Collective Labor Agreements resulted in better working conditions, shorter hours, increased wages, improved sick benefits, more annual leave entitlements, and more security for over 500 workers.

An adamant and lifelong learner, Kertist attended numerous training programs including Basic Trade Unionism, Labor Economics for Trade, Industrial Relations and Collective Bargaining, Basic Economics, New Techniques in Worker’s Education, Trade Unions and the Mass Media. He also received certification in Theory and Practices of Social Security, Organization of American States and Dominica Social Security as well as Industry Management and Supervisory Management from the Barbados Community College. 

During the political crisis in the late 1970s, Kertist was nominated as a Senator in the Dominica Parliament where he served for 12 months, under the interim government. 

While still the General Secretary of the Waterfront and Allied Worker’s Union, he served on the Executive Board of the Caribbean Congress of Labor (CCL) in Barbados as Assistant Secretary and Education Officer from 1980-1981. He then assumed the helm as General Secretary of the CCL becoming the first Dominican to serve in that capacity. He was tasked to represent the rights, interest of 500,000 members in 33 affiliated unions across 17 Caribbean nations. For 18 years he represented trade union concerns to the Caribbean Community, as well as the Association of Caribbean States, and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, working hand in hand with both the International Trade Union Confederation and the Inter American Regional Organization. 

 He was instrumental in formulating and influencing labor policies in and around the region to include CARICOM Heads of Government. He personally encouraged and actively worked towards the formation of national groupings and centers of trade unions, and the defense of trade unions against infiltration and subjugation by totalitarian forces. Above all, he built and strengthened ties between Free Trade Unions of the Caribbean and those across the world, while expertly developing and maintaining a regional clearing house of information and research on the problems of trade union organizations. As if that wasn’t a high enough bar to surpass, he had to soar to higher heights by working closely with numerous International Labor Organizations to include the Antigua and Barbuda Workers Union, Bustamente Industrial Trade Union, St. Kitts and Nevis Trade and Labor Unions, the International Transportation Federation, the International Confederation of Free Trade Union, International Union of Foods, and the International Trade Union Congress to name a few in achieving some of his key objectives and goals both regionally and internationally. He was awarded the prestigious Order of Francisco de Miranda Award from Venezuela in 1997.

Upon his return to Dominica in 1998, he was elected as President of this Waterfront and Allied Workers Union at its Biennial Delegates Conference. As President, he stabilized the operation of the Union through diligence and skillful negotiations, supporting legislations which safeguarded and promoted the principle of free collective bargaining, the rights of workers and the security and welfare of all people, and actively endeavored to protect and strengthen our democratic institutions to secure full recognition and enjoyment of the rights and liberties to which we are entitled. While preserving the independence of the Labor Movement from political control, he personally encouraged workers to exercise their full rights and responsibilities of citizen and to perform their rightful parts in the political life of the country.

A champion for worker’s rights and advancement, he reserved the interest of members and the union at heart.  He was tireless in attempting to deliver a resolution for Port workers, to minimize tribunal delays, improve communications with the Labor Department and the formation of a Trade Union Congress.  such issue was that of minimum wage, working diligently on the committee to ensure rates were raised. It would come to pass on the day of his passing. 

He was a phenomenal dad, husband, brother, uncle, family man, leader, manager but most of all he was a purist. He worked hard, sometimes annoyingly so, but also knew how to have fun. He was always attentive and present, patient and kind, full of wisdom. He thrived on the idea of service to others and encouraged others to do the same. He was a living picture of godliness, honesty, integrity, and responsibility. He knew the importance of being honest and reliable, the value of hard work, the significance of truth and the honor of duty. He was highly respected and appreciated as a genuine, honest and frank individual, a legacy he lived for others to follow.