TIWU: Retired bus drivers are unfit

The union made this charge during a news conference at its Laventille office Friday as part of its continued bid for equal treatment of part-time workers. TIWU president, Roland Sutherland, said that in 1999, the Industrial Court ruled that part-time drivers are to be paid the same rates as permanent drivers, however, Sutherland claims this has not been the case.

He added that the corporation had set dates with the union to discuss matters but adjourned those dates, which is one of the reasons for the protest action taken over the past few days.

Sutherland highlighted that the corporation is hiring ‘scab’ workers to counteract the protests.

He said ‘scab’ workers are usually retirees who were not given compensation on leaving the company.

“We call on (PTSC) to desist from utilising ‘scab’ labour to nullify legitimate claims and protest action by the drivers.” Sutherland said.

He said if the corporation has to hire ‘scabs’ it means that there is a shortage of bus drivers and the corporation should meet with the union to come to some sort of agreement that would bring stability to the issues faced by the union.

He further added that ‘scabs’are hired to drive the buses but are not given a medical examination that is company policy and is also in the best interest of the travelling public. Sutherland said the union is concerned about this matter because some of the drivers have serious medical defects and are not fit to transport passengers.

“ I am not against hiring workers once they are medically fit to transport passengers.” Sutherland stated.

He said that one of the ‘scabs’ fell ill on more than one occasion and it was only then the corporation told him to get a medical check-up.

Sutherland also said that part-time workers who work the same hours as permanent workers, have been working for the past ten years without sick leave, vacation leave or compensation for service, which he believes is ‘totally inhumane and almost like slave labour.’

Sutherland further added that the government is a part of the International Labour Organisation(ILO), that supports equal working conditions for part-time workers but the state has failed to follow any of the ILO’s principles. Sutherland is calling on the corporation to sit with the union before any escalation of industrial protest occurs.

When Sunday Newsday contacted the Human Resource Manager of PTSC, he said he was in a meeting and was unable to make any comments on the issue at that time.