Labour hits the streets to protest 5% wage offer from government

Unions marching in Port of Spain Friday morning. Photo courtesy PNM media TV

The Joint Trade Union Movement is staging a demonstration in Port-of-Spain Friday to protest government’s five per cent offer and to highlight other issues affecting workers. 

Police have granted the ujions permission for the march, which starts at the Brian Lara Promenade, Independence Square.

The unions that are expected to take part include the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers’ Association, Transport Oilfields Union, Communication Workers’ Union, Seamen and Waterfront Workers’ Trade Union and the Oilfield Workers' Trade Union.

The Public Services Association (PSA) is not taking part. Its president, Watson Duke, has called the unions “dinosaurs” that cannot adapt to the changing global environment. 

“Globally, the financial picture has changed for everybody and bigger countries in the east and the west are wondering about about their future financial positions regarding sustainability of employment," Duke said in an interview with media earlier in the week. 

He added, that despite that reality "the dinosaur movement (in T&T&) has failed to adapt their thinking to the fact that money is now a finite resource. Therefore, their plight regarding negotiations have been nothing short of a madman chant in light of the global reality.” 

During the state of emergency, which ended on Monday, the president of the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union Ancel Roget threatened to march against the government and suggested that the labour movement could bring down the government.