CASTRIES, St. Lucia — The National Taxi Union has lost its public voice after David “Shakes” Christopher resigned as Public Relations Officer, effective immediately, citing a complete breakdown of confidence in the organization’s top leadership.
Christopher addressed his resignation letter dated Tuesday, May 26, 2026, to all concerned parties, directing the Executive Committee to be notified of the development. In the letter, he named President Terry Valcin directly, stating that the Union’s management, decision-making processes, and overall leadership approach had progressively undermined the core principles the organization was built on.
Leadership Failures Cited as Breaking Point at National Taxi Union
Christopher described a pattern of deteriorating governance that he said made his continued service untenable. He pointed specifically to failures in transparency, accountability, unity, and effective representation, values he identified as essential to the Union’s credibility and its obligations to members.
“I have become increasingly concerned about the management, decision-making processes, and overall leadership approach currently being exercised within the Union,” Christopher wrote, adding that those failures had eroded the foundational standards the organization was meant to uphold.
The resignation was framed not as an abrupt decision but as the conclusion of extended deliberation. Christopher stated plainly that he could no longer represent himself, the Union, or its members with integrity under the prevailing conditions.
Blow to Union’s Public Standing
The departure strips the National Taxi Union of its primary communications function at a time when internal confidence appears fractured. Christopher closed his letter by expressing hope that the Union would eventually realign with the genuine interests and aspirations of its membership, a statement that implies he does not believe it currently does.
No response from President Terry Valcin or the Executive Committee had been issued at the time of publication. The National Taxi Union has not confirmed whether a replacement PRO will be appointed or when the matter will be addressed at the executive level.
Christopher’s exit adds to mounting questions about internal governance at one of St. Lucia’s key transport labor bodies, with St. Lucia’s taxi operators and the pressures reshaping their industry already under strain heading into this latest leadership rupture.
