MTS workers fight downsizing

Speaking at a meeting held yesterday at TIWU Hall, East Main Road, Laventille, Sutherland said the union first got word of the downsizing from sources who revealed that it would take place after the restructuring process which is due to start from September 1 this year.

Sutherland said his union is opposed to the restructuring which would let go thousands of daily paid workers such as the janitorial maintenance staff who earn as much as$10.80 per hour .

He said from his union’s calculations “these workers who served more than 10-25 would go home with approximately $74,000 for their hard work and this offer was in no way close to what Caroni workers got”. Sutherland said Government has strangled MTS for years by repeatedly cutting subsidies since 1990, hence forcing employees to work without the availability of necessary tools and equipment.

He said he now feared for workers’ well being, since once reconstruction takes place, workers would be forced to take up contractual employment offered by the Government under the new MTS.

Sutherland said this would put workers at a disadvantage to secure personal loans. Sutherland called for an immediate meeting between Government and MTS management before any decisions are made to reform the company.