(Trinidad Guardian) Soldiers have moved into state-owned Petrotrin and set up base two days ahead of an impending strike action. At around 2 pm yesterday, about 15 soldiers went through the main gates to the petroleum company at Pointe-a-Pierre and set up operations at the hostel of the Augustus Long Hospital. This development drew angry responses from members of the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) who up to yesterday morning were engaged in talks with company officials.
President general of the union, Ancel Roget, accused the State of using “strong-armed tactics” against Petrotrin workers. “The last time we checked we didn’t know soldiers were capable of producing oil or capable of working on the compression plants, or working in refinery to ensure that we have oil production to make finished products. Let us see how that works,” he said.
He warned that the Government “will fall flat on its face because fuel supplies to the public will be greatly affected once strike begins.” On Tuesday, Roget told Petrotrin workers the union would not be responsible for the safety of anyone who broke the picketline. He called on the Petrotrin police not to “go beyond their designated duties” by suppressing workers. However, a senior company source said more than a month ago NP trained soldiers and Coast Guard officers to fill and distribute fuel. The source said the soldiers would be deployed to ensure the safety and protection of any worker who wanted to break the picketline and report for duty if strike action began from 10 am on Saturday.
The Petrotrin source said they were ready for the “long haul” threatened by the union. He said: “It is customary for the OWTU to intimidate and threaten workers who want to work. The soldiers will be there to man the gates and ensure all workers are protected.” He added that Coast Guard officers and soldiers would assist in filling and distribution of gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel. The soldiers would be strategically positioned throughout the compound to ensure law and order were maintained, he said.
Petrotrin’s corporate communications manager, Gillian Friday, said company officials would continue to hold dialogue to ensure an amicable settlement was reached. She said: “Petrotrin continues to meet with employee representatives in order to reach an amicable solution to the current industrial impasse. “This is consistent with our stated commitment to achieve an amicable resolution which is in the best interest of all stakeholders.”
Friday said Petrotrin’s compensation package for unionised workers was among the best in T&T and “arrangements are in place to provide an uninterrupted supply to the public (if the strike takes place).” She declined comment on the presence of soldiers at Petrotrin’s Pointe-a-Pierre compound. Contacted late yesterday, Minister McLeod also declined comment on the presence of the soldiers, saying he did not want to exacerbate the current tensions between the workers and their employer. He said conciliation talks, which took place from 7 pm to 3.50 am yesterday, were fruitful. Although I consider that progress was made, there is nothing tangible that I can point to. We adjourned and we will reconvene for another set of conciliation from 6 pm on Thursday (today),” McLeod said.
The minister said both sides came prepared to dialogue, even though strike notice was served and he was optimistic he could stop the strike. “I am meeting with both parties again with the resolve to have them negotiate a settlement to stop strike action,” he said.
