TSTT workers deny acts of vandalism

TELEPHONE workers swore yesterday they were not responsible for the cutting and stealing of TSTT cables, and said they were not prepared to take any blame for the acts of vandalism.

TSTT reported that in two separate incidents last Thursday, cables were cut and stolen, leaving more than 2000 customers in Mausica, D’Abadie and Bon Air Gardens without service. These customers were unable to make or receive calls or access their internet services. The situation is expected to return to normal by 6 pm today. TSTT is offering a $50,000 reward for anyone with information leading to the prosecution and conviction of the person (s) responsible for these acts of vandalism. Yesterday, protesting telephone workers, stronger in numbers than before, staged another in a series of demonstrations in the face of a bomb threat outside TSTT House, corner Edward Street and Independence Square South. They demonstrated in carnival style, wearing black, which their union leader, Lyle Townsend said, symbolised the heightened emotions of members.

The workers took time off from their demonstration and assembled on the Brian Lara Promenade to hear addresses by Townsend and Patrick Hall who is president of the Communication Workers’ Union. The two leaders brought the workers up to date on the state of negotiations with the company for a new collective agreement for junior staff workers. Townsend told the workers they should not allow themselves to be scanned before entering their work places to take up duties. About the state of the negotiations for the new agreement, Townsend said the company is now proposing an 11 percent increase in salary over three years — four, four and three percent. But he made it clear that if the company wanted to offer 12 percent, “we will listen to you...we are not listening to anything below 12 percent,” he added.