Billion dollar plant facing shutdown

IN THE wake of Wednesday’s failed attempt by Prime Minister Patrick Manning to coerce protesting workers to go back to work on construction of Atlantic LNG’s Train IV site, sub-contractors employed with Atlantic LNG are warning that the multi-billion dollar project may have to be shutdown by as early as next week, if strike action does not cease. According to a release from the South Trinidad Chamber of Industry and Commerce, figures released by Bechtel Ltd showed that sub-contractors had lost US$7 million per month as a result of the strike action.

Manning walked into a veritable hornet’s nest on Wednesday when he visited the protesting workers, who have not received any salaries as a result of taking part in ten weeks of strike action. The workers jeered Manning and new Labour Minister Anthony Roberts during the visit. Addressing a media briefing at the Cross Crossing office of the South Trinidad Chamber of Industry and Commerce yesterday, a number of sub-contractor representatives pointed out that the majority of the 1,800 plus workforce indicated their willingness to return to work, but strike leaders were using “fear tactics and intimidation,” to keep all workers from breaking ranks and going to work.

According to Point Fortin-based contractor Lennox Shade, workers had expressed fears for their personal safety and the safety of their families, if they decided to cross the picket line. “When the strike leader is standing outside waving a stick and asking if your family is safe at home, would you go through that gate (back to work)?” Shade asked, during the meeting. Another sub-contractor agreed with Shade, referring to an incident earlier in the week when a sub-contractor was prevented from removing several pieces of heavy equipment from the construction site, by the protesting workers.

Meanwhile, another contractor’s representative — Philip James — said a “signed and returned” Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by workers suggested that the majority were in favour of the proposed increases and wanted to return to work. “The majority of our workers would like to return to work in a peaceful manner. In fact, workers are calling our officers on a daily basis asking when they would be able to return,” James said. He added that a consensus among sub-contractors, numbering 23 individual companies (of which 20 were local), revealed the same trend with their workers. “Out of 1,800 workers, some 1,400 have already signed or agreed to sign the new MOU,” James declared. He added returning workers would also receive an “immediate” average increase of some 20 percent.  

He said under the new agreement, a general labourer would receive $5,846 per month, an increase of over $1,000. Also included in the new MOU were increased fringe benefits, a further three percent increase in 2005, double-time on Saturdays and increased pay on public holidays. Representatives pointed out that sub-contractors were fully supportive of the on-going negotiation process, presently taking place between the Oilfields Workers Trade Union (OWTU), workers’ representatives and Bechtel, under the auspices of Public Administration Minister, Dr Lenny Saith.

However, an outspoken Shade said the strike had affected everyone involved, including the sub-contractors, some of whom may have to close down their businesses. “This strike is affecting us very badly and if this continues for one more week, we may have to call it off as a contractor,” he said. James was also in full agreement, saying profits made on the Train IV project had already been “eroded” by the strike as sub-contractors had purchased materials and equipment in preparation for working on the project. “We have loans to pay off and overheads to meet, and while the banks have been sympathetic, we have to repay these loans,” he said.