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| Trinidad Guardian photo |
However the numbers were not what their leaders expected.
President of the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union Ancel Roget had hoped for a massive show of support and even spoke about the workers support being so strong that it could be the beginning of the end of the People's Partnership government.
However he had to admit that he was disappointed with the turnout. "We have to be better next time around. We have some work to do still," Roget said.
He added, "I like the crowd. I am happy that after 107 days we are ready but we have more work to do. We have to go back and do the work."
He said Friday's demonstration was the smoke and warned that "the fire" is yet to come, adding that the “day of reckoning” is near.
Roget said three similar events would be held in Sangre Grande, San Fernando and another in Port-of-Spain.
Union leaders used the opportunity to criticise Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and other government leaders.
Roget attacked the Prime Minister. “Woman or no woman, you have to do your work...If you can’t do the job, get out! And if you don’t want to get out, we will provide the medium to ensure that happens.”
President of the Banking Insurance and General Workers’ Union, Vincent Cabrera, said, “We want to tell all of them that it is the labour movement who will determine who wins the next general election in Trinidad and Tobago.”
The workers and their leaders assembled at the Brian Lara Promenade from early in the day and later sang and danced as they made their way in the rain to the office of the Chief Personnel Officer, where they stopped briefly.
It felt like carnival had come early with the festive mood, complete with a music truck to provide support.
Media reports said some of the workers treated the affair as a lime, drinking beer and carrying bottles of alcohol.
PNM Senator Pennelope Beckles-Robinson was among the marchers. She told reporters the government must heed the message that the unions are sending.
President of the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union Ancel Roget had hoped for a massive show of support and even spoke about the workers support being so strong that it could be the beginning of the end of the People's Partnership government.
However he had to admit that he was disappointed with the turnout. "We have to be better next time around. We have some work to do still," Roget said.
He added, "I like the crowd. I am happy that after 107 days we are ready but we have more work to do. We have to go back and do the work."
He said Friday's demonstration was the smoke and warned that "the fire" is yet to come, adding that the “day of reckoning” is near.
Roget said three similar events would be held in Sangre Grande, San Fernando and another in Port-of-Spain.
Union leaders used the opportunity to criticise Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and other government leaders.
Roget attacked the Prime Minister. “Woman or no woman, you have to do your work...If you can’t do the job, get out! And if you don’t want to get out, we will provide the medium to ensure that happens.”
President of the Banking Insurance and General Workers’ Union, Vincent Cabrera, said, “We want to tell all of them that it is the labour movement who will determine who wins the next general election in Trinidad and Tobago.”
The workers and their leaders assembled at the Brian Lara Promenade from early in the day and later sang and danced as they made their way in the rain to the office of the Chief Personnel Officer, where they stopped briefly.
It felt like carnival had come early with the festive mood, complete with a music truck to provide support.
Media reports said some of the workers treated the affair as a lime, drinking beer and carrying bottles of alcohol.
PNM Senator Pennelope Beckles-Robinson was among the marchers. She told reporters the government must heed the message that the unions are sending.
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