OWTU determined to shut down Petrotrin

OWTU members building a camp in preparation for a 90-day strike

Conciliation talks have failed to resolve the impasse between the Oilfield Workers Trade Union (OWTU) and the state energy company, Petrotrin.

The union is determined to begin a strike on Saturday and the company is appealing to its workers to stay on the job.

Petrotrin issued a media release on Wednesday stating that in the event of a strike the contract terms and conditions for employees will be suspended. It also warned that workers who remain off the job during a strike would lose time off their pensionable service.

The company is also warning employees against attempting to intimidate others who are not part of their action. It also said no one should prevent free access of vehicles to and from its compounds.

OWTU President General of the union, Ancel Roget has threatened to shut down the company for 90 days.

“We too will suffer as a result of this strike action because we too have to traverse and travel from one part of the country to another, so we will be impacted, but that is a small sacrifice to pay in order for us to get a decent and fair settlement,” Roget told local media.