Labour getting more fragmented

ALTHOUGH workers are facing severe challenges from trade liberalisation and globalisation, the local trade union movement has grown even more fragmented during the past year, according to OWTU president-general Errol McLeod who made his observation yesterday during a press conference at OWTU’s Paramount Building, San Fernando. The press conference focused on week-long Labour Day activities by the OWTU, scheduled to begin with a Labour Day calypso competition this Friday and culminating with the Labour Day march and rally on June 19, at Charlie King Junction, Fyzabad. Asked to comment on the state of the labour movement, the veteran trade unionist said the level of fragmentation had not diminished with the past year. “The fragmentation this year is at the same level or higher than it was last year, even in the face of all of the issues facing workers generally that really should bring everybody together,” he said. McLeod said the OWTU would continue to be “free” from interference from political parties.
 
“Say what you want about the Oilfields Workers Trade Union, but nobody can ever put the OWTU in the back pocket of any politician, in the Opposition or in Government,” he declared. He reiterated that no Government or Opposition politician had ever been invited to address a Labour Day rally organised by the OWTU. He said the OWTU was committed to maintaining the independence of the trade union movement from “outside interference.” McLeod said an announcement regarding the future plans of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of T&T (FITUOTT) would be made after a special meeting later this week. McLeod distanced his union from conciliatory discussions between FITUOTT and NATUC.