He spoke as negotiations were taking place to salvage the West Indies tour of South Africa, following the most serious stand-off between the players and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) for 20 years.

The WIPA secretary said that over the years there had been a general feeling of distrust toward the board.

``The association was formed close to 14 years ago to try to alleviate some of this turbulence and to try to smooth things out,'' Holder said.

But has it been working?

``To some extent,'' was his reply.

He noted that when ``the new dispensation'' led by president Pat Rousseau came on board, they had offered WIPA a voice at their board meetings.

Holder said the cricketers saw WIPA as more than a trade union, which he said created certain connotations.

Still, he saw the decision of Brian Lara and Carl Hooper to disobey the WICB and travel to London on WIPA business as akin to the actions of shop stewards.

Lara is vice-president of WIPA and Hooper, the players' representative on the executive.

``That's why we were disappointed the board took the stand that Brian and Carl were not to go to London.

``We have tended over the years to ensure that meetings do not cause a problem for training sessions,'' Holder explained.

``We tend to hold them when the players are free. In this case, they were free in some regard; they were intransit meeting the guys in London.

``The actual physical playing days in South Africa did not start - certainly not on the fourth or fifth.

``The first playing day is on November 10.

``The guys would have had enough time to meet in London and to travel on from there.''

Holder said that the association formed a link between players and the board.

``We are mandated by the players to do all negotiations on behalf of them, to air their grouses and grievances,'' he said.