(Trinidad Guardian) For the second day yesterday workers on the Port of Point Lisas failed to turn up crippling operations. Workers are protesting the company’s five per cent wage offer. They have also complained of victimisation and other issues with management. Point Lisas Industrial Port Development Corporation Limited (Plipdeco) chairman Ian Atherly confirmed the workers no show.
Atherly said a meeting was scheduled with the port’s management and president of the Seamen and Waterfront Workers Trade Union (SWWTU) for 2 pm yesterday. However, he said, he did not know what was the outcome. “Up to now I have not heard anything about the meeting.” On Wednesday Atherly had appealed for “good sense to prevail,” saying that the worker’s action would result in business incurring significant losses.
The continuing shutdown comes after similar action at the Port of Port-of-Spain, when workers downed tools last Saturday and also the weekend before to demonstrate against the five per cent offer. Wage negotiations are ongoing between the SWWTU and management of the Port Authority of T&T. Wednesday statement from the Point Lisas Port Development Corporation Ltd’s marketing and business development unit stated operations were negatively affected when workers assigned to the 7 am to 3 pm shift did not report for work.
It said the areas most affected were vessel and yard operations facilitating receipt and delivery of cargo. “Management is working diligently to have normal operations resume in time for the 3 pm to 11 pm shift as the stoppage is negatively impacting several of the port’s customers, including shipping lines,” the statement said.
Annisette said the SWWTU would not accept the Government’s offer because it was not in the best interest of workers. Annisette said a letter dated September 13 from the Point Lisas management advised that it was offering a 2-1-2 per cent salary increase over the three-year collective bargaining period with the merger of Cost of Living Allowance for year one only.
President of the Couva/Point Lisas Chamber Lily Heera said the business community was angry and would be adversely affected since it was highly unlikely that they would get their containers before Christmas. Attempts to reach Plipdeco’s president Ashley Taylor and Annisette were unsuccessful.
