Roget warns of widespread strike action

“We are a political union, the OWTU, it is because of our political upbringings, our political positions we have taken on many issues that the country would have benefitted in the past and it is because of the political positions we will continue to take, the country will continue to benefit because of that,” Roget said.

“We are going to do all that is necessary to ensure that justice prevails and all of that outstanding negotiations are settled once and for all and I need not remind them that workers are voters,” he said, adding, “all we are asking for is to be treated fairly.” Roget continued, “In case of the Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago (Petrotrin) or wherever else, through the Industrial Relations Act, we are given the right to call strike action. We will effect strike action in the country if we did not get for the benefit of our members who contribute to the development of the country,” he said.

The outstanding negotiations are for the period 2011-2013 and 2012 -2014 and include such State enterprises as Petrotrin; National Petroleum; the University of the West Indies and the University of TT.

Roget was addressing the launch of the OWTU’s Union Week 2016, which takes place from November 9 to 18 and December 5 to 9, at the union’s Paramount Building headquarters, Circular Road, San Fernando yesterday. The Union Week is themed - “only through struggle will victory be achieved.” He noted that the OWTU’s membership, some 13,000 strong, spans the entire economy of TT, and work in such sectors as the oil industry, electricity, light and heavy manufacturing, fuel distribution, education, some sectors in health and in the hotel industry in Tobago. Union executives are expected to visit some 52 worksites during Union Week.

Earlier, SE A top achievers, Caitlin Brooker and Michael Beepath, received achievement plaques for their roles in the union’s 38th Annual Quiz Competition.

Both Brooker and Beepath placed first and second respectively in the 2016 SE A examinations.