Industrial Court extends Caroni VSEP injunction

The injunction granted by the Industrial Court restraining Caroni (1975) Limited from implementing its VSEP programme for daily paid sugar workers has been extended by two weeks.

The  injunction granted March 28, was due to continue until the sugar union’s application - that an industrial relations offence was committed by the company — is heard. Subsequently, the court exercised its discretion to refer the matter to conciliation in an effort to have the matter resolved in the best interest of the two parties. Now, the court has granted a further two weeks for the conciliation process to take its course.

Failing a resolution of the issue, the substantial application by the union - that an offence was committed — will be heard on May 26. The union - All Trinidad Sugar and General Workers Trade Union - says it remains committed to healthy dialogue and consultation. It also said it was hopeful that the parties can come to an agreement on an issue that impacts on the lives of thousands of workers and their families. Attorneys Douglas Mendes, Dave Cowie and Ashvani Mahabir represent the union, while the company is being represented by Allan Alexander SC, Reginald Armour, and Kerwin Garcia.