TSTT workers threaten industrial action

SECRETARY-General of the Communications Workers Union (CWU) Lyle Townsend yesterday warned of renewed protest action by TSTT employees if the company fails to endorse an agreement reached with the union.

At a meeting to update workers on continuing negotiations, Townsend told some 200 workers at TSTT’s compound on Cipero Road, San Fernando, that “it seems that the company is delaying the signing of all the agreements, while delaying the return to a normal situation”. He revealed that a meeting with the company on Friday March 14 failed to resolve the dispute and that the union was giving the company until Friday March 28 to “respond and endorse the agreement or else other things are likely to happen”. He said several options remained open to the union including taking the dispute to the Industrial Court and increasing protest action at all TSTT work centres. Townsend said a letter dated March 20, was sent to TSTT’s Industrial Relations Manager, Robert Linton, advising him of the union’s position. He said the letter also addressed the position of employees terminated by letter last December 31. Townsend said copies of the letter were also sent to Prime Minister Patrick Manning, Labour Minister Larry Achong and Industrial Court president Addison Khan.