Union claims police brutality at ALNG

THE National Trade Union Centre (NATUC) yesterday claimed that Government used heavily-armed policemen and soldiers to force striking construction workers at the Atlantic LNG Train Four worksite back on the job. According to NATUC general secretary Vincent Cabrera, NATUC received information that armed police officers, reinforced by members of the TT Defence Force, “invaded” the workers’ strike camp in an “unsuccessful attempt” to get them back to work.

“NATUC is of the view that the police should be used against criminals, murderers and kidnappers, not innocent workers who are exercising their legitimate rights,” he stated. Cabrera said the workers would not be intimidated by any police action and NATUC also condemns any attempt to introduce scab labour on the Train Four construction site.
Cabrera reiterated NATUC’s intention to organise a mass demonstration of workers to protest the rising cost of living and the “deteriorating labour situation” in Trinidad and Tobago.

Point Fortin MP Lawrence Achong, who resigned as Labour Minister last Friday, visited the strike camp yesterday. NATUC president Robert Giuseppi expressed regret over Achong’s resignation but supported him for doing so.