(Trinidad Guardian) Fifty-five workers from Trinidad Cement Limited (TCL), accused of engaging in acts of violence and intimidation during the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) 90-day strike, have been suspended until further notice. This was confirmed yesterday by the company’s general manager, Satnarine Bachew.
The workers received their letters of suspension last Friday, 12 days after the strike ended on May 27. Bachew said the workers were suspended on full pay, pending an investigation by an independent team. He added: “We are working in compliance with the Industrial Relations Act by doing a fair investigation of all acts of violence, intimidatory tactics and criminal offences committed during the strike.”
Some of the strikers were accused of firebombing the home of TCL’s chemist, Wayne Benjamin, on March 18, puncturing tyres of employees’ vehicles, throwing missiles at a TCL shuttle on March 15 and intimidating strike-breakers. Bachew said the intimidation acts would be investigated thoroughly by the team after which action would be taken once there was evidence of guilt.
Asked whether the OWTU was part of the investigating team, Bachew said no. He explained there was no specific timeframe for the investigation but said the suspended workers would have the right to be represented by the union. In an immediate response, OWTU’s pesident general Ancel Roget said TCL was abusing the right of workers to engage in legal strike.
Dubbing the suspensions as “acts of intimidation and victimisation,” Roget said the OWTU was moving swiftly to deal with “that injustice” by taking legal action. “We are now in discussion with our attorneys, Senior Counsel Douglas Mendez, and Anthony Bullock, regarding the matter,” Roget said. He added: “Any attempt by TCL to victimise workers will be in violation of their rights and it is contempt of the court.
“The strike has ended and resumption of work has taken place. There are plans to victimise trade union officers as well and this is in breach of the law.” He noted that TCL was continuing to provoke workers. “They are attempting to exacerbate the situation going forward and this will lead to a downward spiral.
“Shareholders must take a close look and see that TCL is being managed on the basis of spite and victimisation, rather than on efficiency and safety.” He said the International Labour Organisation (ILO) supported legal strike action and the OWTU would continue to secure the rights of all of its members.
Meanwhile, hearing of the TCL/OWTU dispute would resume at the Industrial Court, Port-of-Spain, July 16, when both parties are expected to present evidence and arguments. Replies are set for September 10, while conciliation would take place on October 2. If that fails, the matter will be heard in open court on November 5 and November 9.
