Lindsay Gillette made the statement at a news conference at the company’s Queen’s Park West office. he was reporting on the agreement reached between Petrotrin and the Oilfield workers trade Union (OWTU). the deal averted a strike that was to begin on Saturday.
Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine was happy that the strike was called off and urged the nation to enjoy the Carnival celebrations.
His cabinet colleague, Labour Minister Errol McLeod, chaired the talks between the two sides on Thursday night, which ended with a deal early Friday.
Gillette said Petrotrin was very well prepared to make a deal. “It was best for the company in coming to a settlement immediately because we really don’t want a strike at this point in time.”
He added: “When you looked at the amount of money we would have lost in a strike versus what we will achieve over the next three or four months...You had to make an economic decision and the best economic decision at that point in time was to settle and go forward."
Gillette said Petrotrin was very well prepared to make a deal. “It was best for the company in coming to a settlement immediately because we really don’t want a strike at this point in time.”
He added: “When you looked at the amount of money we would have lost in a strike versus what we will achieve over the next three or four months...You had to make an economic decision and the best economic decision at that point in time was to settle and go forward."
He called the settlement a victory for the entire country.
The agreement is for the period 2008-2010. The increase will be one percent in the first year, two per cent in the second and six per cent in the final year. It also provides for the consolidation of Cost of Living Allowance in the first year.
Some of the other matters in the agreement include:
- the rejuvenation of the apprentice programme
- filling of several temporary appointments
- payment of severance/gratuity to temporary workers over the age of 55
No comments:
Post a Comment