Union goes to court on Caroni VSEP

AN application filed by the All Trinidad Sugar and General Workers Trade Union (ATSGWTU) on the VSEP for Caroni (1975) Limited workers will be heard in the Industrial Court today at 9 am.

In a statement yesterday the union said pursuant to Section 84 of the Industrial Relations Act, Chap. 88 for Orders, it filed the application in respect of the failure of Caroni to recognise it as the recognised majority union of the daily paid employees and/or in good faith to treat and enter into negotiations with it for the purposes of collective bargaining. The ATSGWTU claimed Caroni developed and implemented a VSEP without obtaining the agreement of the union and despite the union’s expressed disapproval. The union further alleged that the company has refused its request to provide details for Caroni’s restructuring. Attorneys Douglas Mendes, Dave Cowie and Ashvani Mahabir will represent the ATSGWTU. On Tuesday, 2,500 sugar workers signed a petition in support of legal action by former Attorney-General Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj against the Caroni VSEP.