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Industrial Court Rules Former MBS CEO Pierre Richardson Was Fairly Dismissed
The Industrial Court has ruled that former Chief Executive Officer of the Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS), Pierre Richardson, was fairly dismissed by the statutory corporation in February 2016.
The judgment, delivered on March 28, 2025, brings to a close a longstanding legal challenge filed by Richardson, who claimed his termination was unfair and politically influenced. However, the Court rejected his claim and upheld the employer’s decision to dismiss him for misconduct.
Richardson had been employed with MBS since 1987 and was appointed CEO in 2013. Tensions reportedly escalated during the tenure of then-Chairman Leroy Adams, culminating in a letter Richardson wrote on December 5, 2015, in response to criticism from Adams. The employer relied on that letter in terminating Richardson’s contract, arguing that it amounted to gross insubordination and a breakdown in the employment relationship.
In his defense, Richardson argued that he was targeted and undermined by the Chairman and that the dismissal was unreasonable. He further pointed to a Cabinet directive recommending his reinstatement and secondment to the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment as evidence that the dismissal was politically motivated and unwarranted.
However, the Court found that the employer acted within its rights and had sufficient cause for termination, despite the Cabinet’s position. The Court also determined that the employer’s conduct was reasonable under the circumstances and that Richardson was not entitled to compensation.
The ruling confirms that the authority to dismiss an employee rests with the employer and not with the Cabinet, and reinforces the principle that statutory bodies retain operational independence in matters of employment.
Richardson was represented by Samuel James and Simon Leonard of the Antigua and Barbuda Free Trade Union. The Medical Benefits Scheme was represented by attorneys Gail Christian and Jessica Zueter of Montgomery Chambers Inc.
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What am I missing?; the Court ruled that he was fairly dismissed the article said, not unfairly dismissed. So why all the congratulations?
Lemme go check industrial court website instead see cause this site ain’t it