TWO MONTHS OF UNREST PROTESTS BEGAN AT NBN

The first signs of labour unrest began January 29 with a sickout staged by NBN employees. Since then several groups have taken protest action for one reason or another. Following is a timeline of the recent labour woes in TT:

Jan 29:  National Broadcasting Network (NBN) workers stage sickout, crippling the company’s operations.

February 11: Construction workers at ALNG Train Four site down tools to protest better wages and working conditions.

February 12: Prime Minister Patrick Manning describes ALNG Train Four strike as a wildcat strike and says Cabinet will soon discuss proposals for minimum wage for construction workers. Point Fortin Mayor St Clair Natta chased from site by protesting workers.

March 3: Doctors say amendments to Regional Health Authorities Act 1994 are unconstitutional and threaten legal action if amended Act is passed.

March 4: Prime Minister Patrick Manning says Government will act if ALNG Train Four strike affects the national interest.

March 5: RHA amended Act passes in House of Representatives. NUGFW claims Government pushing Public Services Association (PSA) on doctors. Port Authority and Seamen and Waterfront Workers Union reach agreement on wages for period 2002-2005.

March 6: Tugboat operators at ALNG Train Three down tools in support of striking ALNG Train Four construction workers.

March 8: ALNG plant shutdown; PSA president Jennifer Baptiste-Primus rejects claims that amended RHA Act favours it as representative union over RHA workers; Workers at IAL Engineering Services stage protest; Labour and Energy Ministries hold crisis meetings.

March 9: Tugboat operators return to work at ALNG Train Three following meeting  between OWTU and PLIPWIJS at the Industrial Court; Casual workers block gates at Petrotrin’s Pointe-a-Pierre refinery protesting for better wages and  working conditions.

March 10: Labour Minister Larry Achong chairs “cordial meeting” of OWTU and PLIPWIJS representatives at Riverside Plaza. Follow-up meeting scheduled for March 15.

March 11: Operations resume at ALNG plant but ALNG Train Four workers continue their protest.

March 12: RHA doctors meet to discuss failure of Joint Negotiating Team (JNT) of RHAs to begin negotiations for consultants and registrars. JNT chairman Imitiaz  Ahamad announces doctors negotiations begin on March 22; Larry Achong resigns as Labour Minister following the sitting of the House of Representatives but vows to remain Point Fortin MP and a PNM member; Natuc president Robert Giuseppi laments Achong’s resignation.

March 13: PM Manning “speechless” over Achong’s resignation. Manning dodges reporters at the Crowne Plaza Hotel claiming to have laryngitis.  Achong tells Point Fortin constituents he resigned over differences with Government over wages for ALNG workers. Government sources claim Laventille East/ Morvant MP Fitzgerald Hinds and Public Administration Minister Dr Lenny Saith being considered to replace Achong.

March 14: PM Manning feigns laryngitis again at a CEPEP rally at Skinner Park, San Fernando, again evading questions about Achong’s resignation. PNM chairman Franklyn Khan expresses confidence that situation will be resolved but says he is unaware of who will be the new Labour Minister. Top PNM officials reportedly hold closed door meeting at undisclosed location concerning Achong’s resignation. PNM supports Achong, saying he resigned on a matter of principle.

March 15: Achong visits strike camp at ALNG Train Four worksite. PM Manning locked in a series of closed door meetings at Whitehall. Government sources say Cabinet will carefully consider who to appoint as Labour Minister and Achong will be asked to reconsider his decision.