PSA’s Baptiste-Primus warns of doom for PNM

PRESIDENT of the Public Service Association (PSA) Jennifer Baptiste-Primus yesterday warned the Patrick Manning-led PNM Government that the current industrial protests which has crippled several sectors in the country could very well signal the “beginning of the end”  for Manning’s second term in government. Sharing the platform with the PSA President was Lawrence Achong, who last week resigned as Labour Minister from the PNM Government and is likely to quit membership of the party. He is the MP for Point Fortin. The PSA head gave this warning as she spoke to protesting Atlantic LNG train IV  workers at their protest-site in Atlantic Avenue, Point Fortin, yesterday.

Earlier, Achong indicated that he had no intention of seeking a position in the Cabinet of the ruling PNM. Under the watch of several Special Branch police officers, Baptiste-Primus told the group of vocal striking workers she is now questioning the motives of the Prime Minister. “How could the Prime Minister wash  his hands like Pontius Pilate while the country loses TT$12 million per day,” Baptiste-Primus asked. She said the Prime Minister’s attitude towards the striking workers posed serious questions. “It is morally and inherently wrong to give your promises to workers and then turn your back on them. It is very unfortunate this Government has shown itself to be anti-labour and there is now a  confidence problem with the Prime Minister. This could be the beginning of the end for him (Manning),” Baptiste-Primus warned, as the workers roared in agreement. She reasoned that “it would cost less to take care of the problem of the workers.”

She then slammed Monday’s show of police and army force at a rally Pt Fortin MP Lawrence Achong held with the protesting workers. “You can’t have a  Prime Minister sit without a tinge of concern for the workers and the voters and send the military to protect big business. You touch one labourer you touch all,” she declared. Achong answered questions from the media and when asked under what conditions he would return as labour minister, responded, “The wish list will be so long, there is no condition.” Achong also denied knowing anything about high-level PNM members engaging in efforts to woo him back to the Government.

Achong made this statement in reference to a meeting at the Pt Fortin constituency office on Tuesday night in which PNM chairman Franklyn Khan, Gender Affairs Minister Joan Yuille-Williams and Ambassador John Donaldson were to attend, but which was cancelled at the last minute. Asked if he had any idea who was replacing him as labour minister Achong laughed and said “I have not the faintest idea.” Meanwhile, president of the protesting contract workers Ernest Thompson revealed that he along with other representatives of the striking workers met with Public Administration Minister Lenny Saith on Tuesday. However, Thompson accused Saith of employing “delaying tactics” during the discussions, and warned, “I have no intentions of playing games.” Thompson also revealed today’s intended march by the workers in Port-of-Spain had been rescheduled to next week.