‘Who is the Boss, Manning or Bechtel?’

LEADER of the protesting contract workers at Atlantic LNG’s train IV project Ernest Thompson, yesterday issued a stern warning to Government and Atlantic’s main contractor company Bechtel, against bringing in ‘scab labour’ onto train IV to substitute the protesting workers. And with last Friday’s resignation of Point Fortin MP Larry Achong as Labour Minister, Thompson is challenging the government to step in and ensure a smooth passage of negotiations between the company and workers. “Now we will see who is the real boss...Bechtel or Manning and his Government,” Thompson stated. Thompson warned that the “importation of scab labour” would be met with “strong resistance” from the protesting workers. In an interview yesterday at the Point Fortin strike camp, Thompson said information reaching workers was Bechtel would try to bring in labour from outside Pt Fortin, “under the cover of heavy security.”

“We understand the Company is going to be bringing in or try to bring in scab labour on Monday to work on train IV under  heavy security and under the machinery of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago,” Thompson said. He added that calls were made by Bechtel to a number of sub-contractors promising them that both heavy Defence Force and Police personnel would operate alongside the outside labour. “That would not only be wrong for them (Bechtel) to import this labour but it will also be illegal and will deprive Pt Fortin people of what is rightfully theirs,” Thompson said. Asked what action workers would take to prevent Bechtel from bringing in outside workers, Thompson with a wry smile, said a good general never reveals his plan of action. However, he issued a challenge to the project’s main contractor saying the Company was now obligated to meet with striking workers as mandated by Prime Minister Patrick Manning, to “iron out the differences.”

“And we think since Bechtel was awaiting the then Labour Minister’s decision on a sectoral minimum wage, they should also comply with the highest order of our country which states both parties must negotiate in good faith and not create a situation of contention and confrontation,” Thompson said. The work stoppage at Atlantic LNG’s train IV project has been stalled for the past four weeks as workers downed tools to demand the implementation of a sectoral minimum wage for the heavy construction industry and better working conditions.