Point Fortin mayor chased from ALNG site

Point Fortin Mayor, St Clair Natta, was forced to abandon a mediation attempt at the Atlantic LNG site yesterday between workers and sub-contractors after workers accused Natta of being unsympathetic to their call for improved wages and salaries.

According to reports, at approximately 9 am, Natta arrived at the main gates leading to Train IV of the LNG plant and began to speak to the striking workers about their course of action. He allegedly advised workers to form themselves into a negotiating committee before approaching the sub-contractors on their demands. The striking workers allegedly informed Natta that the sub-contractors had refused to meet with them, even though a negotiation committee had been formed two days ago. However, tempers began flaring after Natta allegedly told workers that their pay packages were comparative to industry norms. They then began hurling abuse at the Point Fortin Mayor who was forced to beat a hasty retreat from the angry workers. The mayor was allegedly advised not to return to the site by the workers.

Contacted afterwards, Natta downplayed the issue, saying that he had not felt threatened during the confrontation. He said flaring tempers were a norm when dealing with industrial relations matters. “This is a normal reaction when dealing with these kinds of situations,” he said. He also surmised that the workers, who were now all off the job, were not receiving sound advice. Natta also predicted that Labour Minister and Point Fortin MP, Larry Achong, would soon meet with both parties in an effort to defuse the situation. Efforts to contact Atlantic LNG’s main sub-contractor, Bechtel Inter-national, proved futile as personnel were said to have left their Point Fortin offices earlier in the day.