Union threatens injunction on TSTT

EFFORTS are reportedly underway by the Communication Workers Union (CWU) to file an injunction against local telephone provider TSTT to prevent the utility from taking action against South-based technicians who are protesting changes in their work portfolio to include driving as part of normal duties. The protest, which has seen non-repairs to over 3,000 dead telephone lines throughout the southland, was precipitated by a circular to the technicians on May 25, informing them of an amendment to their job description. The workers refused to accept the circular, saying the decision to change their job description was not consulted by the company’s Job Evaluation Project Team or the CWU. Subsequently, the CWU asked TSTT to withdraw the letter and threatened legal action against the utility.

CWU South branch secretary/treasurer, Clyde Elder, told Newsday the stand-off between the technicians and TSTT was still in effect, with technicians stoutly refusing to accept extra duties as drivers. Newsday was told a meeting will be held between the CWU and technicians sometime today, to decide the next course of action and revise some issues taken by the workers. Elder said it was more than likely that subsequent to today’s meeting, the technicians would resume their normal daily routine since the company would not be able to undertake disciplinary action or alter job descriptions, due to the filing of an injunction.

“The technicians will go back out to work as well as drive the company vehicles as usual, claiming for the necessary driving allowances until the issue is properly addressed legally,” Elder said. When Newsday checked with TSTT corporate communications manager, Graeme Suite, to find out what contingency plan was in place to provide relief to affected customers, he referred us to Raeanne Harper-Walters — who is responsible for issuing information to the media — and later said TSTT had nothing to say regarding the impasse.

Newsday then visited TSTT’s Business Centre at St James Street, San Fernando yesterday and found fed-up TSTT customers waiting to file complaints about their non-functioning telephone lines. A prominent Princes Town businessman, who asked not to be identified, said his business was being affected because of the dead lines. He also said paying bills was a waste of time since the lines were still down. “It is so unfair that you have to keep on paying the TSTT bill, when you don’t have the privilege of using the service as you wish. My business is suffering because most of it comes via the telephone. Sales are down almost 80 percent,” the dismayed businessman said.