NBN $30 million VSEP ready to go

THE STAGE is now set for the National Broadcasting Network (NBN) to offer $30.1 million in VSEP payments to 120 employees by December 31 — the day on which the television-radio network will broadcast for the last time at 11 Maraval Road, Newtown. The Industrial Court yesterday dismissed allegations brought by two unions and said NBN acted in good faith on the contentious issue of VSEP which was offered to the unions in the wake of the closure of the network. The three unions representing the workers — the Electronic Media Unit of Trinidad and Tobago (EMUTT), the Union of Commercial and Industrial Workers (UCIW) and the Senior Staff Association took NBN to court months ago alleging that the company was not negotiating in good faith on the separation package. Three cases were lodged with the court. The allegation brought by the Senior Staff Association was first heard before a court headed by Vice-President Gladys Gafoor. However, that judgment was not delivered yesterday.

Douglas Mendes SC and Kerwin Garcia represented the Staff Association. Instead, the court delivered judgments brought by the other two unions — EMUTT and UCIW.  The court comprised Eleanor Donaldson-Honeywell, Lenore Harris and Albert Aberdeen. Reginald Armour SC and Michael Quamina appeared for NBN, and Robin Ramcoomarsingh represented EMUTT. The President General of UCIW argued on behalf of his union. In the judgments delivered by Donaldson-Honeywell, the Industrial Court found that NBN’s offer of VSEP was not an unreasonable offer. According to the law relating to VSEP, NBN was not allowed to offer VSEP to workers directly. The company had to negotiate first with the union and this principle was established earlier this year with the VSEP package involving Caroni workers. According to the court, NBN made offers of VSEP to the unions, and negotiated these offers in good faith. The unions, according to the court, produced no evidence which would have enabled the court to rule that the VSEP offer was unreasonable.

The court found that the company discharged its obligation under the Severance Act and in accordance with the collective agreement. The court hoped that NBN and the unions could still continue to meet in an effort to resolve issues surrounding VSEP. The unions had complained that the company was not saying anything about the new company to replace NBN. But the company explained to the court that it had no information on the new company coming to replace NBN. However, the court felt that information on the new company was vital as it would guide the existing employees on their future. The court found that NBN was not dishonest and there was no attempt to mislead the workers. The company, the court added, came with open hands to negotiate the package. Yesterday’s judgments now give the company the opportunity to deal directly with the employees. The Government has given the company $30.1 million to pay VSEP money to the 120 workers — from managers to the handymen.