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| Khalid Hassanali |
Khalid Hassanali made the point to reporters before going to a meeting with members of the Oilfields Workers' Trade Union (OWTU) at the Labour Ministry's San Fernando office, which was chaired by Labour Minister Errol McLeod.
The minister has intervened to try to stop a strike that is scheduled to begin Saturday. The OWTU wants a 75 per cent increase for its workers over a three-year period.
The union has said it will settle for less, although so far it has failed to say how low it is willing to go. The company is sticking to its five per cent offer. however when everything is considered, including the consolidation of cost of living allowances, the package is worth between 24 and 39 per cent.
Petrotrin has said its annual wage bill is already $1.9 billion and that the total package for workers is far superior to most others in the energy sector.
"We are dealing with the past and backpay. We have an opportunity right now to start negotiating going forward. That's another reason why we have to be prudent," Hassanali said.
OWTU president general Ancel Roget is insisting that there ios no room for a compromise unless Petrotrin moves up its offer beyond the five per cent.
"We are quite sure that the five per cent is well supported by the Prime Minister herself," OWTU President general Ancel Roget told reporters. He said workers are ready to walk out.
"The workers are seeking their just due by taking lawful strike action. The company prefers to spend billions of dollars to prevent from paying millions to settle these negotiations," he said.
McLeod told reporters he hopes the matter would be resolved soon.
Petrotrin has said its annual wage bill is already $1.9 billion and that the total package for workers is far superior to most others in the energy sector.
"We are dealing with the past and backpay. We have an opportunity right now to start negotiating going forward. That's another reason why we have to be prudent," Hassanali said.
OWTU president general Ancel Roget is insisting that there ios no room for a compromise unless Petrotrin moves up its offer beyond the five per cent.
"We are quite sure that the five per cent is well supported by the Prime Minister herself," OWTU President general Ancel Roget told reporters. He said workers are ready to walk out.
"The workers are seeking their just due by taking lawful strike action. The company prefers to spend billions of dollars to prevent from paying millions to settle these negotiations," he said.
McLeod told reporters he hopes the matter would be resolved soon.
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