Attorney wants NBN officers in court

THE Industrial Court ruled yesterday it has the jurisdiction under provisions of the Industrial Relations Act (IRA) to hear the VSEP dispute between the National Broadcasting Network (NBN) and two unions representing workers at the company. It did so in response to a preliminary objection the previous day, by  counsel for the Electronic Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago, (EMATT), one of three unions representing workers of the company. The others are the Union of Commercial and Industrial Workers (UCIW) and the Senior Staff Association.

Once it was ruled the matter was properly before the court, hearing of the dispute began in earnest with counsel for the company, attorney Reginald Armour SC presenting his case. The matter was taken to the court by the company, on grounds there was a breakdown in negotiations for a VSEP package for workers. Armour relied on the evidence and arguments filed with the court earlier, with the claim that there was little the company could lead by way of further evidence. He closed his case without calling any witnesses. However, Robin Ramcoomarsingh, appearing for EMATT, said Armour’s case was not meaningful, because it was based on hearsay evidence and was unreliable. He submitted that someone from the company must be available to the court, to give oral evidence and swear that what was submitted was true. “My client has no means of testing the accuracy or sincerety of the case presented,” he told the court. On a point of law, I would like to cross-examine somebody,” he said.

He contended that Armour’s submission should not be allowed to rely on evidence and arguments and claimed that he was taken by complete surprise. Her Honour, Eleanor Donaldson-Honeywell, chairperson of the court’s quorum decided that Ramcoomarsingh should present his case for the benefit of the court. After some legal exchanges, the court adjourned for a few minutes and returned with the decision that its ruling stood. Ramcoomarsingh was adamant, however, and  sought leave to appeal the decision and asked for a short adjournment to consult his client.