Oil workers to protest today

In a statement late yesterday evening, the OWTU said that from 8 am, workers will down tools and take to marching in front of the Pointe-a-Pierre roundabout to express their “disgust” at Petrotrin’s inaction about what they insist is a “security crisis.” The union said that even before the death of Curtis Pierre by suicide last week, after he jumped into one of the company’s oil storage tanks in Point Fortin, it has been raising the issue of safety with the company but to no avail .

After a meeting with members, the OWTU said it decided to protest to highlight the severity of the situation and compel Petrotrin to respond. In a statement to Newsday late yesterday evening, however, Petrotrin said the reason for the strike was because of a breakdown in wage negotiations at the Ministry of Labour .

“In light of the low oil prices and the need for Petrotrin to sustain and increase its current oil production levels, the Company will do all in its power to manage this situation in order to fulfill its obligations to all stakeholder,” the company said. Petrotrin added that after the OWTU had informed of its intention to strike, the company notified Inland Offshore Contractors Limited (IOCL), one of its three main contractors that provide marine transport to the company’s Trinmar operations off the southwestern coast .

“Reliable transport is critical to ensuring our effectiveness in servicing our offshore installations .

Petrotrin is therefore monitoring the situation closely and contingency measures will be implemented as required to limit the impact of the expected disruption in service,” the company said. Energy Minister Nicole Olliverre told Newsday that it was “unfortunate” that the union would take such action, especially given the current situation of falling production at Petrotin. The Ministry will be monitoring the situation closely, she added .