Workers shut down Point Lisas port

Workers stayed away from their jobs Wednesday at the Point Lisas docks, shutting down operations at the port and delaying the clearing of hundreds of containers. They took the action after rejecting a wage offer of five per cent.

President of the Seamen and Waterfront Workers’ Trade Union (SWWTU) Michael Annisette told reporters Wednesday the union will continue reject the Government’s five per cent wage cap imposed on its bargaining units.

He confirmed that “nothing is happening and nothing is moving” at the port in Central Trinidad.

Workers had taken similar action against the Port Authority of Trinidad & Tobago (PATT) and shut down the docks in Port of Spain. However they returned to their jobs after an agreement in principle between their union and the PATT.

Annisette said the the Government’s offer is not in the best interest of workers.

“When workers give their life to an industry, the management must ensure that their terminal benefits or retirement benefits are befitting of workers so they can survive and live happily thereafter,” he said.

Annisette said his union advised the management since September that the five per cent offer is not acceptable.

Transport Minister Devant Maharaj met on Wednesday with chairman of PLIPDECO, Ian Atherly, and Annisette.

Maharaj said he understood that there are “some burning” issues on the minds of the workers which needed to be addressed. “I will be working with them until the matter is resolved,” he promised.