The National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) yesterday accused Toolsie Persaud Group of Companies of continuing to frustrate its workers by depriving them of a reasonable living wage and proper conditions of work.
According to a press release, an advertisement on page 10A in the Sunday Stabroek requesting applications for numerous “vacancies” within the organization was very revealing.
The release said workers in those posts at the company have taken industrial action to press for better conditions and to complete negotiations of a three-year agreement, which had commenced early this year. An investigation of what was paid as wages currently for work in these departments would support the workers’ position at this time.
The union said the treatment of hard-working employees was unbearable. It was articulated that after agreeing with the union to fast track negotiations with full resumption of workers who were on strike for these same reasons on July 17 and to complete these negotiations by July 31, the company did everything to frustrate the union and members throughout July and August.
“Not a single change was agreed to, to cause any hope after the full resumption. Save and except the return to pay workers $400.00 per meals, which was in place since January 1, 2006,” the union said.
The press statement said the company was only prepared to avoid a strike when it invited the union to a meeting on September 2, recognizing that the workers were organizing to strike from September 1.
The union said it recognized that the TPL has been avoiding the Ministry of Labour in every instance and has been making all attempts to breach agreements and labour laws. “The workers of the TPL have been very lenient with the company throughout their employment even to the point of questioning the payment of their NIS contribution to the authorities.”
On the other hand, the statement said, TPL has been trying to identify workers who are willing to challenge its behaviour and treat them unfairly. It said the dismissal of branch chairman, Seepersaud Boodhoo was a case in point.
The union added that the uncaring attitude of the TPL Board and Human Resources department had caused unending pain to families. It cited an employee, Mr Harding, who worked in the cement bond for years without protection for his nostrils. He has been arrested and imprisoned for alleged fraud from the company, and is still moving from home to hospital even after being acquitted by the court for the unfound allegation.
Harding, it was revealed, has not been successful in returning to his job even though he has not been dismissed from the TPL.
NAACIE said that these are a few of the conditions which workers are protesting and which has caused the company to seek new employees.
“The company is refusing to deduct union dues from the workers who are now seeking membership of NAACIE,” the statement said, adding that no organized representation and no protection of rights would be the fate of these new workers.
NAACIE therefore called on TPL to meet at the level of the Ministry of Labour to have terms of resumption sorted out and to begin negotiations in earnest. This is moreover needed, the union said, for them to have discussions on very important grievances of workers.
