Trinmar workers back on the job

TRINMAR WORKERS have returned to work pending the delivery of an emergency response vessel, according to Trinmar branch president of the Oilfield Worker’s Trade Union (OWTU), Ancil Roget. Speaking to Newsday yesterday, Roget said Trinmar workers did in fact return to work around 2.15 pm Thursday. It was reported that workers shut down operations at the company, after an explosion on Wednesday caused five workers to be seriously injured, including one in critical condition. Workers called on the company to provide them with an internal memorandum concerning the explosion and what measures the company had taken to deal with it.

They also want counselling sessions for the injured workers and their immediate families, and an emergency response vessel fully equipped with medical supplies and equipment. Roget said after a meeting with Trinmar officials Thursday evening, it was agreed and manifested the circulation of an internal communication to its workers and the arrangement of counselling sessions for the victims and their immediate families of the explosion. However, Roget said Trinmar workers were very serious about the delivery of a vessel strictly for emergency responses. “The workers have all returned to work, but vowed to intensify actions if the company doesn’t deliver an emergency response vessel within one week,” he said.

He said the present vessel was being operated in a dual function, but emphasised that it must be used solely for emergency cases, in case there is a disaster, accident or some outbreak of sickness. “The management of Trinmar is committed to look into the situation,” he said. Roget also mentioned that union officials visited the victims of Wednesday’s explosion at the Southern Medical Centre, San Fernando. “Four out of the five victims, Randy Anthony, 21, Anthony Chin-Afat, Ron Alexander, 28, and Clarence Ramsaroop, 35, are resting comfortably, while the fifth, Kenneth Merrique, 55, remained in a critical condition. We are going to continue to monitor that Merrique gets the best medical care,” he said.