Ancel Roget as a leader has placed his head too far up, in the clouds. Demanding salary increases from a company making loses is not only unreasonable but foolish.

It is backward and unreasonable actions like this recent strike action notice that cause the economic “middle income trap”. If Petrotrin continues to bow to OWTU’s demands and salaries that are already high continue to get higher, while profits go down, Petrotrin’s cost of production will be unsustainable.

The result is that the candle will eventually cost more than the funeral. These actions can only be described as donkey logic.

How can workers get behind a plan of strike action while sitting in some of the best paying jobs in the country, during a time of economic decline in their industry? What is the OWTU really expecting to happen here? The government would not put God out of their thoughts and borrow hundreds of millions of dollars to make these workers fatter while others grow thinner.

The government gave the Trade Unions $10 million dollars for training and development but it seems like some of them have squandered the money and not learnt anything.

The population including the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Commerce has been very clear on their disapproval of this strike action. It seems as though some of these workers are not thinking about the personal consequences of holding the company and the country to ransom.

Ancel Roget thinks that he determines who runs this country by walking with politicians on Labour day.

Roget should be careful that he is not seen as a political prostitute, void of morality and only interested in personal gain.

Come to your senses and get your people back to work. The government should have Petrotrin post ads for your vacancies while you strike and then you will see how thankful others will be in your jobs.

The Oilfield Workers Too Unreasonable.

Ronal d Huggins St Joseph

TCL’s Management also met with stakeholders across the region explaining the delicate financial state of the Group and appealed for support and understanding.

All responded positively, especially the Trade Unions in Barbados, Jamaica, and Guyana, but the OWTU refused, demanding a double-digit wage increase, which would have resulted in 25% increase in overall compensation.

Just like the current Government, TCL’s Board and Management could not agree to such an increase while TCL was negotiating with its Lenders for debt relief. It is also important to note that TCL was not offering 0%-0%-0%, but had 6.5% on the table as a final settlement.

At the end of February 2012, the OWTU issued Strike Notice and vowed that the strike would go for 90 days (a statement that they lived to regret). TCL’s Management had a Strike Plan, which it rolled out once the strike started.

As part of its Strike Plan, TCL had stockpiled two weeks supply of cement in warehouses across the country. Thereafter TCL slowly restarted sections of the plant with loyal employees beginning with the Cement Mill and Packing Plant. TCL then utilized spare capacity at its plants in Barbados and Jamaica to supply Trinidad & Tobago and when they were maxed out, imported cement from Cemex’s Caribbean plants. While there were severe disruptions in the first month of the strike, the local market settled down due to imports from other Group companies, Cemex’s supplies, and from the partially operational plant.

Eventually TCL flew in foreign kiln operators and restarted both kilns, so that by the end of the strike the plant was fully operational.

During the strike the behavior of a few TCL employees and some elements of OWTU’s leadership were totally disgusting – even criminal. Management, Staff, and “Strike Breakers” were routinely threatened and subjected to abusive language and violence; The Trinidad & Tobago Police Service failed to stop the violence and we felt like an abused spouse who was ridiculed when reporting incidents of violence to the Police.

We estimated that TCL employees lost over $20 million in compensation over the 92 days of the strike – never to be recovered.

The OWTU promised to help employees but nothing materialized, as the OWTU has no Strike Fund. Employees had their cars, furniture, and appliances (on hire-purchase) seized and some nearly lost their homes (mortgage default). On the 92nd Day, the OWTU accepted defeat and requested that the Minister refer the Dispute to the Industrial Court bringing the Strike to an end. The Industrial Court ignored TCL’s “inability to pay” argument and awarded a 9% increase.

When you reflect on the bigger picture, the OWTU put Trinidad & Tobago, the Construction Sector, TCL employees, and the company through 92 days of Hell for a 2.5% increase (9% IC Award minus 6.5% TCL Settlement Offer).

If TCL did not have strong Management and many dedicated employees it would have gone into Receivership in 2012. After the strike – and until the Espinet- led Board/Cemex took over – TCL was the best performing subsidiary contributing significantly to the Group’s return to profitability in 2013. Lessons learned: TCL survived the strike because it had a credible Strike Plan; Workers paid the highest price for the OWTU’s action; the Minister did not have to intervene (Sec: 65 IRA) because the market was satisfied; and TCL emerged as a stronger company after the Strike.

Rollin Bertrand, PhD, DBA Former TCL Group CEO

The same applies to the stance taken by the Opposition to drag on a long-suffering public when they can easily say yes to FATCA.

But the fifteen minutes of fame being enjoyed by these two entities, will have a long-lasting effect on the economy.

Who wants to invest in a postage stamp sized country which has problems with intractable trade unions? Who wants to do meaningful business with a government that is deliberately blocked because of a law that allows the Opposition to be of damaging nuisance value? Conditions for making a reasonable profit look bad. Good, clear photographs of the nonsensical behaviour in all the papers and floating around in the world news media. though. A few people might even use Google Map and look for Trinidad and Tobago.

Mmmm. Does not look good as a holiday destination either.

Lynett e Joseph Diego Martin

“Petrotrin has been a failing sector for years in this country and we have been bailing it out with millions of dollars and maybe it’s time to look at the privatisation of Petrotrin which may lead to a turnaround of the company and by extension, the country,” Sookhai, in a telephone interview said.

And citing Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley’s remark that Petrotrin was a “ward of the Ministry of Finance”, he pointed out that the company had “always been run at a loss and we believe it’s time to look at privatisation of the company.” “Privatisation might bring a change in terms of actually adding to GDP (Gross Domestic Product) eventually and change around the whole outlook of Petrotrin,” he said.

Asked whether local or foreign investors should be invited to tender proposals for the company, he said, “Consultation needs to take place and a combination of both may be able to help Petrotrin get out of the situation it is in right now.” And regarding the strike action which is scheduled to begin on Monday at 10am, Sookhai once again appealed to the union and its membership to “let good judgement prevail” saying the strike could jeopardise the national economy.

“We are appealing to the OWTU and its workers, let good judgement prevail and not hold the country to ransom and jeopardise the economic situation of the country,” he said, and noted that previous administrations should have put measures in place to prevent trade unions from holding the country to ransom.

Asked about Roget’s comment that the Chambers were not interested in the future of the company and were only interested in the foreign exchange earned by Petrotrin, he pointed out that Petrotrin itself also used foreign exchange to purchase items needed for the refinery’s operations.

“Petrotrin also spends forex on items they need to purchase to run the plant and this is bought from overseas suppliers so it is quite unfair for him to make that kind of statement,” he said.

“The Government went into retreat and, in effect, the Government has retreated from governance of Trinidad and Tobago.

We see very little hope for 2017 to be the bright year that it should be as long as the Rowley Government is in power,” Persad-Bissessar said during a news conference on Wednesday at the Office of the Opposition, Charles Street, Port-of-Spain.

She said the Government has collapsed and Rowley has shown he has no confidence in his Cabinet and thereby no confidence in his ministers.

“He has done this effectively by placing in the hands of persons to set up committees with work that could have been done by ministers and the Cabinet. This is the ‘committeerisation’ of Government and ‘bureaucratisation’ of Government who has achieved more delay in delivery of goods and services needed by the people of Trinidad and Tobago,” Persad-Bissessar said.

“After having served almost one quarter of the term in office, the prime minister has admitted he was engaged in a learning curve and this year would be one of delivery. However, from statements I have heard so far, I can see no delivery taking place where everything is being placed in the hands of committees.

The PM has indicated that a committee would be set up to do a manpower audit of the Police Service.

This is not new as it had been promised many years before and in their manifesto.” “Given the crime situation, 463 murders last year, more murders than days and the highest in six years and we have started the year with a very gruesome number of murders, seven and counting. The escalation in crime continues unabated and I am discouraged by the statements given by the Prime Minister that there would be abatement.”

She said that on BW014 on January 1, there was a consistently disruptive passenger in one of the cabins.

She said a decision was taken by the captain in command of the aircraft to advise the Kingston airport of the need for security support on arrival of the flight. She added that the passenger was restrained on board and law enforcement met the aircraft on arrival.” She stressed that at no time was any harm done to anybody on board the airplane and the matter was handled professionally by the crew and consistently with operating procedures as the captain had made numerous announcements about the importance of complying with instructions.

The family of Winston Edwards, 29, was previously tight-lipped and unwilling to give any information about Edwards to the media.

Yesterday, however, one distraught family member shared with Newsday her concern for Edwards’ mother who lost her sight after undergoing surgery to remove a tumour in her brain about five years ago.

Edwards was one of three killed including Michael Brown, 26, and Elton Amorer, 35.

Police reported that at about 12.30am, an unknown number of gunmen ambushed the 30-person strong birthday party for Daniel Spencer.

“He was her only son,” said the relative who was adamant about not giving her name or the names of any family members to the Newsday. “His father has children outside but he was his mother’s only son and he used to really take care of her. He would take her to the grocery, to church, anywhere.

He was the one used to carry her to the hospital any time she needed a check-up.” The relative said that Edwards worked construction. He has also left behind two children. “That whole thing was a big mistake,” said the relative.

“He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.” Now that Edwards has died, his grandmother will, once again, have to care for her daughter, but she doesn’t know how she would manage. “I am 79 years old,” said the grandmother who also chose to not give her name. “I am an old woman. Winston used to take care of me and my daughter.

Now I have to become a mother again and care for her since he is gone.” The families of Brown and Amorer, who were also thrown into chaos by their deaths, were rushing about yesterday to prepare funeral services.

Spencer, who was also shot in the arm and abdomen, remains in serious but stable condition at the San Fernando General Hospital along with Ronald Earl, 31, who is said to be resting comfortably on the ward.

Melikah Davis, 20, who suffered minor flesh wounds in the attack was discharged yesterday.

Yesterday, the field that stood as a background to the early morning shooting adopted an eerie quality as residents, still shaken by the memory of the sounds of gunfire, remained inside their houses. Some residents called upon the government to fix the street lights on Commonwealth Drive as only two, they said, were working. The lack of light only adds to the fear they have of walking the streets at night.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley made these announcements at a news conference on Wednesday at the same venue, following the end of the retreat. Rowley said the proposed model will follow the successful management model used by Queens Hall in Port-of-Spain.

He also disclosed that proposals will be made to the private sector regarding the operation of a 50 room hotel at NAPA in Port-of- Spain. On the future of the Couva Hospital built under the former People’s Partnership (PP) government, Rowley said a committee has been appointed to evaluate proposals for that facility.

Similarly, another committee has been appointed to evaluate proposals for the construction of a hotel on the site of the Agriculture Ministry in St Clair to help boost convention tourism in TT. Regarding the Solomon Hochoy Highway Extension Project, Rowley said contracts for different phases of the project should be awarded soon and construction should start in March. He also indicated that the PP did not put in proper financing arrangements for the Point Fortin and Arima Hospitals and these will be reviewed. Rowley said Government will address this matter and has decided that Sangre Grande will get a new hospital.

The Prime Minister said the route for the proposed Toco to Valencia Highway has been agreed upon and tenders will be issued for the proposed Toco port on a design- build basis. He also indicated that CEPEP will be split into three components to be overseen by the Local Government, Works and Agriculture Ministries respectively.

After talking about the National Gas Company (NGC) having to ration the supply of natural gas to companies at the Point Lisas Industrial Estate, Rowley said a new platform constructed at the Union Industrial Estate in La Brea will soon be deployed in this country’s marine acreage to explore for additional oil and natural gas reserves.

On lingering concerns regarding a housing allowance for President Anthony Carmona, Rowley suggested this was a matter which the Auditor-General should look at to allay those concerns.

Companies will also get the opportunity “to bid for new ventures” during the event is being hosted by Southex Trade Shows and AME Trade of United Kingdom.

Under the theme, “Building the Caribbean’s future, with a new specialised industry focused trade event”, Carib Build will include a trade show, corporate workshops, a ‘B to B’ meeting area; allowing companies to set up the relevant meetings before the event starts, as well as specialised workshops to allow knowledge sharing and discovering up to date industry information.

Southex said Carib Build “will also facilitate companies in the building industry to promote their products and services, to launch new brands, expand their sales distribution network and target consumers directly. It will be a window of promotion for all types of housing in the Caribbean region, allowing buyers to find out how they can get on or climb the property ladder.” Southex noted that the Caribbean building and construction industry is currently booming as its economy improved throughout 2015 and the outlook for 2017 is excellent with GDP up from 2.5 percent in 2015 to three percent in 2016, with tourism and housing needs in the region presenting opportunities for construction firms.

“Major funding is in place to finance upgrading the Caribbean’s infrastructure. US $35 billion has been set aside as part of the China– Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (China-CELAC) Fund, which has recently been made available to the group’s member states.” Southex added that a UK-backed Caribbean infrastructure investment scheme became operational in 2016, offering ?300 million worth of grants for infrastructure across the region until March 2020.

For further information, email Southex Director, George Singh, gsingh@southex.co.tt or Dan Coberman of AME Trade at build@ ametrade.org

The three-day workshop; January 24 to 26 at the Courtyard Marriott in PoS and February 1 to 3 at the Cara Suites Hotel in San Fernando, is designed “to assist local human resource professionals, to better navigate the challenges employers and organisations are facing with a contextualised modern employment scenario within the ambit of the IRA and other important employment legislation in TT.” HRMATT said the panel of experts and facilitators will expound on how companies can manage their industrial relations issues and leverage the good relationship with unions and workers to increase productivity and improve their bottom-line results.

The workshop will address issues such as of the principles of natural justice, collective bargaining and negotiating processes, conflict resolution and discussions on topical IR issues and recent Trinidad and Tobago Industrial Court Judgements.

HRMATT noted that if not managed properly, industrial relations issues “can lead to a breakdown in the employer/ employee relationship, which in turn may adversely affect productivity and profits.” “Strike action, work stoppages, work to rule, walk outs and sick outs…can cost employers hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses. Good and consistent industrial relations practices not only minimises these types of actions occurring, (they) add value to an organisation’s performance and contributes positively to employee productivity and morale,” HRMATT stated.

HR practitioners and business leaders who wish to register for the workshop can call HRMATT’s Secretariat at 624- 4519/ 9606. They can also email eventinfo@hrmatt.com