War brewing between CWU, TSTT

A WAR is brewing between the Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) and Telecom-munication Services of  Tri-nidad and Tobago (TSTT). This is gleaned from a letter sent to TSTT’s vice-president, Industrial Relations, William Iton. It surrounds the appointment of Carlos Espinal as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of  TSTT. Lyle Townsend, secretary-general of CWU noted in his letter to Iton: “It is surprising to learn that a foreigner has been given the reins of power in the TSTT.

“It seems strange that it has occurred while an industrial relations war is being waged against the CWU and the employees of  TSTT. “This war is emphasised by the almost daily violation of the employees’ various Collective Agreements and a spate of dismissals and suspensions be-tween March and September, 2004, on most of which, the company is going to spend millions of its profits, to try and justify, due to the arrogance of two high ranking officers of the company, one of whom, the ink has not even dried, on his letter of employment.” Townsend said nine employees have been dismissed under questionable circumstances, and two have been suspended. “Included in the war against the employees and the union is the company’s unilateral decision to close down a whole section of the company, get rid of jobs and of employees without any notice and discussions with the union, in accordance with provisions of  the Collective Agreement.” Townsend warned Iton that the situation had become unacceptable, untenable and totally unproductive for the company, and should not be allowed to escalate.

CWU has been invited to a meeting with the new CEO tomorrow. But Townsend asked: “Do you really expect the union to be in a position to welcome anybody in this antagonistic atmosphere?” He warned that such a meeting must take place in a non-antagonistic atmosphere “by the company and creating a truce, and putting a halt to all hostilities, or else the war will continue during the meeting with the new CEO.” Copies of Townsend’s letter to Iton have been sent to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Labour. Meanwhile, an application filed by the union for an injunction to restrain the TSTT from implementing or further implementing VSEP or Enhanced Early Retirement Plan offered to its workers will be heard from 9 am tomorrow in the Industrial Court. Townsend noted that the court matter is being heard one hour before the scheduled meeting between the union and the new CEO. Asked whether telephone workers are interested in the VSEP, Townsend declined to comment. But he asked, “Could $900,000 mind you for the rest of your life?”