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‘We tired of this wickedness’- ZBVI Radio announcer slams management on air

- For reportedly failing to pay staff to allow them to stock up for lockdown
Mr Dwight Pickering, a veteran radio announcer and champion farmer, vented his frustration on air on Thursday, April 2, 2020. Photo: VINO/File
A veteran broadcaster on ZBVI Radio has slammed the radio station’s management for reportedly failing to pay staff in time to stock up on food supplies and other essential items for the 14-day lockdown currently in force in the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
A veteran broadcaster on ZBVI Radio has slammed the radio station’s management for reportedly failing to pay staff in time to stock up on food supplies and other essential items for the 14-day lockdown currently in force in the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
Radio announcer Dwight Pickering, who has worked with ZBVI Radio for over 40 years and nearly lost his life when he was severely injured while on duty at the radio station in Baughers Bay during Hurricane Irma in September 2017, has accused the management of ZBVI of neglecting staff in times of crisis. Photo: Team of Reporters
Radio announcer Dwight Pickering, who has worked with ZBVI Radio for over 40 years and nearly lost his life when he was severely injured while on duty at the radio station in Baughers Bay during Hurricane Irma in September 2017, has accused the management of ZBVI of neglecting staff in times of crisis. Photo: Team of Reporters
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- A veteran broadcaster on ZBVI Radio has slammed the radio station’s management for reportedly failing to pay staff in time to stock up on food supplies and other essential items for the 14-day lockdown currently in force in the Virgin Islands.

Mr Dwight Pickering vented his frustration on air on Thursday, April 2, 2020, calling on Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert; Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1); and Commissioner of Police, Mr Michael B. Matthews to intervene.

“We deserve what we have worked for. We don’t need people to be playing games with our lives. You understand what I am saying this afternoon? Premier Andrew Fahie, Governor Jaspert, Matthews, the Commissioner of Police, check with ZBVI management and find out what they are doing to the staff,” Mr Pickering urged.

The radio announcer, who has worked with ZBVI Radio for over 40 years and nearly lost his life when he was severely injured while on duty at the radio station in Baughers Bay during Hurricane Irma in September 2017, also accused the management of ZBVI of neglecting staff in times of crisis.

“Whenever there is a crisis in this country the management of ZBVI takes the opportunity to act wickedly to the staff like we are not people, like we don’t have mouths to eat and, listen we need an answer today, today, today, now, we have to be paid now, so that we can do what we have to do. We tired of this crap. We tired of this wickedness, always sheltering behind Jesus name. We sick and tired of the damn foolishness,” Mr Pickering blared.

Not at liberty to discuss employee’s situation- ZBVI Management

Virgin Islands News Online reached out to the management of ZBVI to find out whether the matter had been resolved and whether the employee would be disciplined for his on-air outburst.

“ZBVI highly values and appreciates all of its employees. In that light, we are not at liberty to discuss a particular employee's situation at this time. Thank you,” the “Directors of ZBVI” responded in a statement today, April 8, 2020.

Up to the time of publication, Mr Pickering had not responded to our request for a comment.

Listen to audio link below:

 Play audio here

55 Responses to “‘We tired of this wickedness’- ZBVI Radio announcer slams management on air”

  • well sa (08/04/2020, 16:50) Like (42) Dislike (2) Reply

    Playing high and mighty, set of wicked people. should be ashamed of yourselves!

    • large (08/04/2020, 17:40) Like (33) Dislike (1) Reply
      Groove Governor u large.. U were rovking the caribbean. Then so call bosses were in Pmpers.. Yow pay the man on time... u aint even paying the man enough.. He suppose to be a share holder..
  • All I can say is (08/04/2020, 16:59) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    Well, Well. How interesting.
  • Hmm (08/04/2020, 17:00) Like (25) Dislike (0) Reply
    Two decades no man as I can remember this man on the air with zbvi from late seventies early eighties.
    • @hmm (09/04/2020, 13:16) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      I remember him as a little girl being on zbvi. He did leave Tortola and came back years after but he has been with the station since his return.

      His voice stands out most to me on the station since I've known the voice from the time I was about 4 or 5 years old. His voice has become even more distinct to me with those commercials for the store in Parham Town (Alfred & Recie).

      Poor Alfred can't win Recie.
  • He got guts (08/04/2020, 17:01) Like (45) Dislike (1) Reply
    Thats the Norm in the BVI.....Bosses hear Storm coming before storm reach tbey already prepare their list of who they are going to let go... The same for any emergencies.. Wicked....We dont have a labour department.. i wont talk about that..U realize people dont talk about labour department no more...they rite off that as dead...I hope they got some kind of remedy...."hiding behind the name of Jesus" Lol..
    • No idea.. (08/04/2020, 17:43) Like (48) Dislike (2) Reply
      The BVI People have no idea how large this man was in the late 70s early 80s. He aint early put ZBVi on the mop.. he the BVi on the Mop.... U earn the right to speak out abd speak up my brother..
  • pay (08/04/2020, 17:15) Like (53) Dislike (0) Reply
    If people work, then pay - simple.
  • A VOTER IN #6 (08/04/2020, 17:32) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    Theres no surprise here they dont like to out money.
  • hmm (08/04/2020, 17:34) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply

    They have some wicked set of people. Moderne slavery . They are abusing the workers.they collect taxes,social security and NHI from the people salaries and keep it. That's stealing. Reporting them ....

  • hmm (08/04/2020, 17:34) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    THE SIGN THAT HE IS HOLDING SHOULD SAY '' zbvi taking advantage''................LOL
  • Nevis old School (08/04/2020, 17:37) Like (29) Dislike (0) Reply
    When i was a little boy in Nevis all of us youth on the block congregate with our Bible and our Spliff wairing for the Groove governor show " When the Lion roaring, that was big for us.. Rasta was de ting then.... Nuff consciousness .. unity no violence..Grove governor was like our teacher our motivator, He Built ZBVi.. Because of him ZBVI was big in the Cribbean.. Grove Governor was large... Dont even sure he knww how large he was... Thank u Grove. U made the youths on the blick better youths and good men....
  • tola (08/04/2020, 18:25) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Well sah
  • asking for a friend (08/04/2020, 18:35) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    Where is zan has he been paid?
  • voiceofreason (08/04/2020, 18:37) Like (22) Dislike (1) Reply
    Groove is right. Most of us know Groove as a very cool, calm personality so something had to really provoke him to lash out on national radio. I met him after and I told him he was right as he obviously had been through a lot with this company post Irma and here they are coming with the same play. Vent Groove, vent! Hopefully someone will listen and I hope you got this resolved. After all you did your work for the month so he should get paid but instead they blaming it on Corona?

    My advice to ZBVI is if you are a high receivables company you must be aggressive in collecting those receivables and in the meantime have extra money in the reserves to meet your recurrent expenditure like salaries, utilities, rent and the like.

    Employers please pay your employees for work done. Laying them off is already a terrible thing but surely you should be able to pay them for work done. Ludicrous!
  • old (08/04/2020, 19:40) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    Labour is just like a funeral home. No help.
  • Fran (08/04/2020, 19:44) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    If they try to fire him for this, he has grounds to sue them and here is the proof. Even if they wait until next year.
  • upfullness (08/04/2020, 19:50) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sad situation, They are the leading voice in this crisis, they have to lead by example. I will like to know if the station is going to retain him, 40 years should not end this way. I home they can kiss and make up.
  • popeye (08/04/2020, 20:23) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    same thing all over in this country, greedy rich people, the daycares and preschool workers are crying out too
  • legal team (08/04/2020, 21:14) Like (16) Dislike (5) Reply
    That's what democracy is all about in a free and democratic country with fundamental human rights and freedoms under our constitution.
    If they fire you for expressing yourself,verbally; groove: SUE DEM and I will pay the lawyer to represent you.
    • 007 (09/04/2020, 00:21) Like (6) Dislike (20) Reply
      Freedom of speech does not mean freedom without consequence. You can be jailed or fined for indecent language, making threatening language etc. You can be fired for how and what you say to someone in authority, a regular coworker, client, customer. People have lost endorsements and even fired for just voicing their opinions on certain topics. Freedom of speech is highly overrated. There is also a proper way to handle work place disputes as listed in the labor code and this unfortunately is not the way.
      • legal team at 007 (09/04/2020, 10:59) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
        What a shame! What a misleading shame! I wish,I was in a court-house.

        It is clear to me that you,well-known (007), do not understand our criminal, civil and legal justice systems of our beloved and beautiful BVI, with its friendly and beatiful people, under our new Constitution,granted to us,by Her Majesty,the Queen,in council, at Buckingham Palace on 13th June,2007,afer the appointed-day.

        In the NEW Constitution,are the many fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed to every person in the BVI, belongers and none-belongers [all inclusive]

        However, the same Constitition, makes provision in section 71 for the legislature ["The parliament"] to make laws for the Peace, Order and Good Government of the Virgin Islands BVI.

        If parliament make a law under section 189 in the Criminal Code of 1997,[an existing law] with sub-sections of the said Criminal Code,of 1997,clearly outlining the definition and offences under that section,it will be a statutory offence,made by parliament,from the power of section 71 of the Constitution,[made by the old constitution]

        In this requard,using indecent or threatening language, contrary to section 189 of the criminal code, is not freedom of speech, as expressed in section 23 of the Constitution:It will be an offence,under a statutory-law.

        Indecent language and threatening language are criminal offences under section 189 of the statutory criminal code of 1997,laws of the virgin islands; because parliament has specifically criminalized ["indecent words and threatening words"]

        Some people who are fired or lost their job for their views and verbal opinions, do not understand their fundamental rights and freedoms, under Chapter 2 of the new Constitution,0f 2007,so employers etc,,get away with their abuse of authority and abuse of power on employees/workers.

        Read the explanatory notes in the NEW CONSTITUTION of 2007.This is what the explanatory notes said, and I quote:-

        [" This Order establishes a new-Constitution for the Virgin Islands, to replace the Constitution of 1976.
        The new Constitution includes,for the FIRST-TIME,a chapter setting out the FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS and FREEDOMS of the INDIVIDUAL and PROVISIONS for their ENFORCEMENT"]

        On a Constitutional and Fundamental point-of-law, I say ["Groove Governor has a fundamental right and freedom under section 23 of the new Constitution, to express himself publicly, in a free and democratic BVI"], and if ZBVI fire him, I will pay his lawyer to SUE ZBVI in the High Court of Justice.

        When it comes to the law and the BVI Constitution,legal team is a champion in the boxing-ring.

        One love BVI. Enjoy your freedom BVI.
      • Hog Tail (09/04/2020, 14:11) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        Bull shit
  • Late 70's ? (08/04/2020, 21:50) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Nah Man! The Grove Governor been on ZBVI way before the late 70's. Late 60's or early 70's more like it. Been their since Mike in the Morning and J Carty days. Would be nice for us to get an official confirmation on this. An exclusive interview even.
    • At Late 7's. Think u right.. (09/04/2020, 15:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I think u right...I was a little youth in SK Grove Governor was the Big thing... Rasta was the thing.... When the Lion start roaring on the radio .. We had one big radio in the road at the youths congregate to hear this man...
  • cooking and a grovin...the grove governor (08/04/2020, 21:51) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    This man interviewed both Bob Marley and Queen Elizabeth back in the days when he had dread locks
  • voiceofreason (08/04/2020, 22:03) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Zan need to interview Groove Governor for tomorrow morning News. lol.

  • V0TER #6 (08/04/2020, 22:22) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    HE'S NOT ALONE MY TENANT DONT WANT TO PAY HIS RENT .HE SAY ANDREW SAY NOT TO ANY RENT..
  • Groove Govenor (08/04/2020, 22:39) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    You the man. Do you know how many of us have felt assured just hearing you on the radio? That roaring lion. From the 70s and now. Everything gonna be alright. Bob Marley say so.
  • If u dont pay people u pay paul (09/04/2020, 00:36) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    I worked over time for two years and was always promised I would get my overtime pay and was then told why all ot a sudden I coming with over time pay and only felt that I should receive 100 for all that work I did
  • Get real people (09/04/2020, 06:43) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    The big devide that causing all these problems is the over doing of lock downs and curfews to the pleasure and comfort of only those that continue to get their alary.. No consideration, no empathy.. There are lots of people who got work to do and lots who wants to work..
  • asking for a friend (09/04/2020, 06:52) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    Heard he was fired vino please investigate
  • Well said (09/04/2020, 06:52) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    They closed down one business place for three months with nothing in our hands bills to pay house rent how are we going to survive God help us
  • QTNA (09/04/2020, 07:40) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    Who exactly is the management of ZBVI?
  • (09/04/2020, 08:44) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    Mr Pickering you are not the only one trust me, a lot of people going through the same thing and the thing that makes me shake my head is to see the bosses in supermarket with big trolleys shopping for their families. How them sleep at night no conscience. The government stop work on the 27th of March and some people suppose to work and get pay on the 31st and the boss take out those 2 work days from the pay and is not a daily job. What kind of wickedness is this. Those people do not get pay daily they get pay monthly. I know God is watching, he works slow but sure.
    • Peaches (09/04/2020, 17:48) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      God does not work slow, He works ON TIME...He does not work when or how we want.
  • I said what i said (09/04/2020, 09:56) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is not surprising and goes on a lot more often and in more businesses than ppl kno about. For a country that is so highly faith based, there are some of the most evil, wicked and badminded ppl, like he said "hiding behind the name of jesus". I fully agree with him, big Christians in a big Christian radio station, and treating their own so disgusting. A front for the public. Time and time again we need to take a stand against these injustices to the ppl of this country. Other countries protest, strike, u name it, to stand up for themselves and joint together against a common evil. In the BVI, everything jus slides right under the rug because Peter related to Paul and Paul related to All. Mr Pickering I hope you and the other staff members receive what is owed to you and change the dynamics of the situation.
    • Wait (09/04/2020, 21:59) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      So because of their faith one should let others trample on them. This is a question outside The Groove Governor situation because we see him. There are also workers who do a lot of quiet evil and when their doings turn on them the employer wicked or evil. Once Grove has a case he should pursue, but the coin can always be flipped to the other side. Getting the stories 3 sides is always best.
  • legal team (09/04/2020, 11:02) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Go public groove-go public.
    You are not in prison groove.
    I call on other employees.
    Call VINO and go public.
  • Manabouttown (09/04/2020, 11:52) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    I have only heard oneside of this allegations and from what I have read I hereby make my comments.
    Mr. Pickering and ZBI Management enters into a contract on the terms and conditions of his employment. However if they refused to honor the contract they are in breach and so breached.
    Society may condemned Mr. Pickering for addressing the matter in the manner in which he has done.
    We say Mr. Pickering has guaranteed the fundamental rights to disseminate ideas, opinions and correspondence without interference.
  • Eagle Eye (09/04/2020, 11:54) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Anyone who is using jesus name be careful of them.their christian foundation faith and belief is fake.
    • Judge Eagle Eye (10/04/2020, 16:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You too need to be careful. There is a day of reckoning coming.
  • Hungry Man (09/04/2020, 11:58) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply

    The saying really is true that a hungry man is an angry man. No doubt Dwight tried to get his due civilly before hitting the fan. If you not working and can't provide, that's one thing. But to work for an agreed pay and can't get that pay after you've worked, especially during a crisis like this, then it is called evil. daughter show off her cooking and meals on facebook every day. So same way, who work for you need to feed his family too.

    Member for District 4, this is a cry. The man need to feed his family. You can help. Commissioner, Please Please allow Mark to allow this man in his store and pick up what he needs to survive until this thing can be sorted out. Mark, I know you can come through for him. Dwight ain't no hand to mouth because when he not on radio, he on the side of the road selling his stuff that he grow. He's a man.
    Dwight (Groove Governor) has been the voice of the Virgin Islands since I was a child. I fifty odd years now. One of the most solemn moments in his breaking news was when Hon. Lavity Stoutt passed and he did that breaking news. Gave me goose bumps. The world listened, and the world respected the integrity in which this man put out the news. Respect Rasta!

  • African Expression (09/04/2020, 13:06) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    That Saturday afternoon old-school roots show he had in the late 70's, "The African Expression", was a brand that benefited ZBVI greatly. Heard that it was so popular all over the USVI and Puerto Rico... that from 2:00pm - 6:00pm on Saturday, every marketplace and public park celebrated that period as culture time.

    My heart cries, my brother, that you had to do what you just did.

    I appeal to ZBVI not to take retribution on this man, rather I ask that they just give him a warning and then address all of the issues that he mentioned.
  • Sam (09/04/2020, 13:25) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    90% of Bvi I lander don't like to pay
    • Mr. Survey Conductor (10/04/2020, 17:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I hope you are not one of the 90% because that will make you ignorant as well as unwilling to pay. You all need to stop inciting violence.
  • resident (09/04/2020, 14:05) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    I heard the outburst. I said OMG he's having a meltdown! But I understood where he was coming from. The country was going on a 2 week lockdown. And you have been looking forward to your pay to shop for 2weeks to feed your family abd yourself and to find out you were not getting paid would have made anyone hit tge roof. He is one DJ that feels very strongly about situations and you can hear the raw emotions in his voice when he gives his opinions. He had a platform and he used it. It wasn't for himself alobe that he spoke. He felt the pain for all the workers at the station and all others who were not paid.
    • Resident Please (10/04/2020, 17:06) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      He represented his ignorant self. Anybody would have been upset, true. Not anybody would use the bosses tool to dis the boss. I would keep him hired to take out the trash but not let him near the microphone ever again. He needs to set up his own station and air his sometimes inappropriate rants, views and ideas.
  • Stop supporting wronglll (10/04/2020, 16:56) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    The DJ has a right to be upset and vent but there is a time and place and he was wrong and wrong. I am sure he did not to his employer and have a sit down conversation about the situation but he chose to vent to the entire listening audience. Someone blogged above about him having strong opinions and he does and sometimes his voiced opinions are not appropriate. I want to be paid when I work but that does not give me the right to blast whomever. They played with him to long now he has embarrassed them. He did not make ZBVI, it is the other way around. One should not bite the hand...who brought him back from the edge. Chairman, Iris, Sandra, all of them were in the same boat, did they behave that way?
  • To stop supporting wrong (12/04/2020, 07:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    There is more in the mortar than u saying too ..and stop brag about wat u did for ones ..we kno wat u inciting but u all didn't he did ...but it mentality like dat of people that u find taken advantage of them tha can do with help ....one hand wash the other ....humm. seem like because one give or claim to give helping hand to ones there can do u as there pkease... hell no
  • Stop supporting wrong (12/04/2020, 07:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hear left hand telling rigth hand he do more for him washing up each other...dam basterd....and it the grace of god that bring him back from the edge not u and ur Dollar u think u spend and u not payed .....and I wonder wat is and where is or rigth place to not pay a man. ...u all not figthing that Durant salt island blood alone ...u figthing the one that really bring him back from the edge.......be careful....he don't sleep and kno all that is in the morta


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