Trinidad and Tobago: Port Workers Protest Over 12% Wage Increase

Work at the Port of Spain was severely affected on Monday as workers protested the Trinidad and Tobago government’s decision not to honor a 12% wage increase dating back to 2014.

The Protests

The workers assembled outside the office of the Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan, who told Parliament last Friday that based on legal advice from two senior counsels, the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (PATT) and the Seamen and Waterfront Workers Trade Union (SWWTU) had been advised that the memorandum of agreement (MOA) under which the 12% wage agreement had been reached is not enforceable.

No Surrender, No Retreat

As the workers protested, they shouted, “No surrender, no retreat. ‘Enough is enough,” the workers shouted, and SWWTU President General Michael Annisette confirmed, “There are several areas that are not functional.”

The Union’s Position

Annisette also said that PATT had called a meeting with the workers this morning at seven o’clock. However, “most of the workers, the majority, felt that it was an insult to the workers that you bypassed the union and called for a meeting to talk directly with them,” Annisette added.

The Consequences of the Dispute

As a result of the work stoppage, PATT chairman, Lyle Alexander, confirmed that work at the Port had been severely affected.

The Way Forward

The SWWTU is ready to meet with management to discuss the situation. Annisette stated, “We are open to meeting with anybody. Our agreement with the Port Authority, our employer-in-law, can stand scrutiny. All we are saying is implement the 12% along with the various work practices and framework agreements to make the Port profitable, more productive, and more efficient in keeping with best international standards.”

Conclusion

The dispute at the Port of Port of Spain is a significant one, and its resolution will have far-reaching consequences for the workers and the port’s operations. It is essential for the parties involved to engage in constructive dialogue to resolve this dispute in a manner that is beneficial to all.

FAQs

* What is the cause of the dispute at the Port of Port of Spain?
The workers are protesting the government’s decision not to honor a 12% wage increase dating back to 2014.

* What are the workers demanding?
The workers are demanding the implementation of the 12% wage increase along with various work practices and framework agreements to make the Port profitable, more productive, and more efficient in keeping with best international standards.

* What is the position of the union?
The union is open to meeting with management to discuss the situation and resolve the dispute.