Striker claims ALNG plant illegal

The Atlantic Train IV plant is being constructed illegally, according to striking ALNG protest worker, Ernest Thompson. Speaking to Newsday in a telephone interview yesterday, Thompson said that there was supposed to be the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the workers and the contracting firm, Bechtel, before the construction of the plant. However, Thompson has said that this was not the case. Thompson added that the Train IV plant is very important for the Government in terms of revenue and that the workers have decided to stand their ground in their fight for better salary packages and working conditions.

He made the statement in reference to the Prime Minister Patrick Manning’s visit to Washington where discussions were held between the PM and US President George W Bush. Thompson stated that he understands that since Manning made a commitment to Bush, during discussions, that the delivery of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) to the United States will not be in jeopardy, Manning now sees it as a priority that the plant be completed no matter what it takes — even, if it means paying the workers next to nothing to construct the plant.

However, Thompson said that this should not be the case: “The workers should be highly paid considering the long term benefit that the country will gain economically from exporting LNG to the USA and other countries. “The workers have made up their minds not to give up the struggle until their calls are heard and are addressed to full satisfaction,” he said. The striking workers are expected to hold a meeting outside the main gates of the ALNG Train IV plant in Point Fortin today to discuss their next course of action and attempt to closely decipher both the Government and the contractors’ strategies.