Tuesday, November 24, 2009

National strike enters second day; "Limited" success Monday

People's Democracy has deemed day one of its two-day national strike a success and that's the view of many organizations within the coalition of interest groups. But business organizations like the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association (TTMA) have said the action failed.

Media reports and individuals reported that while many teachers and unionised workers heeded the call to stay at home, thousands of other workers were on the job.

The reports say there was a slowdown in the usual Monday traffic, but there was no major disruption as many maxi-taxi and bus drivers turned out to work.


Businesses in the city of Port of Spain were open and the Downtown Owners and Merchants Association (DOMA) reported that business was normal for a Monday.

But People's Democracy is pleased with the way things turned out although it would have liked to see more people staying home Monday.


It noted that part of the reason why many people went to work was "threats or attempts of intimidation" by the Employer’s Consultative Association (ECA), the TTMA) and the Chamber of Commerce.

It said despite that thousands of citizens heeded the call, adding that what happened Monday is a signal to the government of the day that the people are ready to stand up for their rights.

The Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) described the response by teachers as excellent, with between 60 and 65 per cent of teachers staying away from classes.

Some schools were virtually shut down, TTUTA said, noting that the action was not restricted to any one area.

The TTMA didn't give any data to support its conclusion that the strike failed.

Greig Laughlin, president of the association, told the Trinidad Express he understood what the interest groups were trying to achieve, but added that they had the wrong plan.


"Their mission was noble, everyone is facing the issues they addressed, crime affects us all, but shutting down the country for two days can be seen as counter-productive," he said adding that such a mission can be successful only if "everyone’s backing behind it".


The government of Trinidad and Tobago insists that the action failed and has promised to provide the evidence Tuesday at a news conference.

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Jai & Sero

Jai & Sero

Our family at home in Toronto 2008

Our family at home in Toronto 2008
Amit, Heather, Fuzz, Aj, Jiv, Shiva, Rampa, Sero, Jai