Trinidad PM to try to avert national shutdown

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has agreed to meet with the leadership of trade unions in another week in an attempt to prevent a nationwide shutdown by public workers who are demanding more than the five percent salary increase being offered by the government. But she has made it clear that the meeting will be on her own terms.

In a letter dated July 18, sent to President General of the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) Ancil Roget, she expressed her willingness to meet with the bargaining agents next Tuesday, July 26, but said the discussions would not be aimed at negotiation, but rather at sharing views “in a cordial atmosphere to advance the interests of all concerned.”

Persad-Bissessar stressed that it was not her intention to subvert the Collective Bargaining process and added that she could not agree to any pre-conditions for the meeting.

Roget had written to Persad-Bissessar on July 7, warning that unless the government removes its five percent wage increase offer within two weeks, there would be a “mammoth” national strike that would affect all sectors in the twin-island republic.

In her response, the Prime Minister sought to downplay the threat, saying that she did not share the view that “there is or should be any collision course between the Labour Movement and Government.”

However, she did acknowledge that the industrial action which the union proposed would do serious harm to the country.

“I recognize your right to represent your workers as I ask you to recognize the right of our government to represent the interest of all of the people of Trinidad and Tobago. Unfortunately, the demands contained in your correspondence were accompanied by threats of union actions which, if pursued, may have dire consequences to both our national security and economic stability,” Persad-Bissessar said.

“It has always been my approach to negotiate in an atmosphere of cordiality and encourage an open mindedness so as to allow for a better understanding of the issues before us. This willingness, however, must not be misconstrued as anything but a desire for achieving a mutuality of understanding and, please be assured that I will do all that I can to protect the interest of our nation.”

She added that, as Prime Minister, she wanted to make decisions that are always in the best interest of all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago and agreed with the union, therefore, that “no effort should be spared to have the country’s productive forces collectively focus on moving the economy forward”.

The unions have flatly rejected a five percent increase over a three-year period offered by the Persad-Bissessar administration as settlement of terms and conditions of employment for the 2008-2010 period, which includes the consolidation of the existing Cost of Living Allowance for each year. The offer would see workers paid two percent for 2008, one percent for 2009 and two percent for 2010, along with a US$315.95 lump sum payment.

Source: Caribbean360