Business as usual at NP; union condemns NP for calling work stoppage illegal

Workers at National Petroleum agreed Monday to end their work stoppage and begin a phased return to their jobs, starting Tuesday.

The agreement came after NP's management agreed to joint health and safety checks with the Oilfield Workers Trade Union (OWTU) to make sure that NP complies with all safety standards.

The workers have rejected a five per cent wage increase and refused to work overtime on the weekend, causing panic buying of fuel that causing many filling stations to run out of supplies.

NP averted a crisis with an alternative contingency plan that allowed delivery to service stations across the country.

OWTU President General, Ancil Roget, has condemned NP for describing the decision to stay off the job as "illegal industrial action."

It is illegal for persons engaged in providing essential services are not allowed to take industrial action. However Roget said on Monday the Occupational Health and Safety Act allows an employee to refuse to work if the worker believes his or her working conditions place present serious and imminent danger.