Showers turn planned power march into damp walk

Persistent showers accompanied approximately 100 persons who waved banners and marched in solidarity with the National Union of Government and Federated Workers (NUGFW), led by president general Robert Giuseppi, who called on workers to exorcise the “crippling evil” that has gripped the nation. The veteran trade union leader was addressing the group after they completed a march through the wet streets of San Fernando. Among those marching were workers attached to the National Trade Union Centre (NATUC). But it seemed the inclement weather put paid to the anticipated influx of hundreds of workers from around the country, as fewer than 100 banner-waving workers answered the call. However, Giuseppi was unmoved by the small turnout by the nation’s largest trade union and once again called on Government’s Inter-Ministerial team to “deal with the workers’ business.”

“Enough is enough. Our patience is declining. We have exercised enough patience and it may now be the time to use another approach and show the true power of the working class,” Giuseppi thundered. “The working class and grassroots people have to exorcise the devil that is crippling Trinidad and Tobago,” Giuseppi said, adding that politicians, whether in Government or in Opposition, “do not want us to enjoy a good quality of life.” He also branded as “ ignorant economic argument,” statements from both politicians and businesspersons that wage increases led to a corresponding rise in inflation. “Wage increases do not cause inflation,” he said, adding that prices were going up while wages were being “eaten away” by existing runaway inflation.

“We must take what is ours by any and all means necessary,” Giuseppi said. He revealed the movement would be demanding a meeting with Government’s Inter-Ministerial team on Monday, while another massive demonstration is being planned for outside the Prime Minister’s office in White Hall, Port-of-Spain next Thursday. Also addressing the rally, which took place Under the statue of renowned Pan-Africanist Marcus Garvey, was Banking Insurance and General Workers Union (BIGWU) president general Vincent Cabrera, who questioned why Government was using delaying tactics with daily-rated workers attached to the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA). “Why are WASA negotiations taking so long,” Cabrera asked, as he observed that while water is the “most precious  commodity,” Gov-ernment was treating WASA workers with scant respect.

He also slammed WASA’s health and safety procedures saying the company was the “worse health and safety employers in the world.” Cabrera also took aim at Government’s proposed privatisation plan for the National Maintenance Training and Security Company (NMTS), saying the Manning Administration was intent on “CEPEPising” the State-owned company. He also blamed Government for the slow pace of negotiations at another State-owned company — First Citizens Bank (FCB) — saying the Inter-Ministerial team was interfering with the collective bargaining agreement. Representatives from the Seamen and Waterfront Workers Trade Union (SWWTU) and Transport and Industrial Workers Union (TIWU) also took part in the march.