INDARSINGH ON PORT AUTHORITY’S “HANDS BEING TIED”-ROWLEY LED CABINET IS ATTEMPTING TO HIJACK NEGOTIATION BETWEEN PORT AND UNION.
February 29th, 2024.
I note with great concern statements made by the Chairman of the Port Authority Lyle Alexander that the hands of the port’s management are tied as it pertains to the honouring of negotiations.
Last week’s protest by the workers at the port was a poignant reminder of the impact of industrial disruption by port staff. It is instructive to note that the management of the Port and the majority union representing the workers, the Seamen and Waterfront Workers’ Trade Union (SWWTU), signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Agreement that paves the way for port workers to receive an increase of 12% for the period 2014 to 2017.
It is, therefore, a slap in the face of all port workers and all workers in Trinidad and Tobago that the Chief Personnel Officer (CPO) would now instead offer 0-0-2% for the same period.
This move by the CPO reeks of political interference and undermines the collective bargaining process entered into by the workers and the management of the Port Authority.
It is a feature of proper industrial environments that management and workers be allowed to negotiate without interference from central government or other agencies eternal to the company.
Thistle incident reminds us of when in 2021, the Minister of Finance interfered with negotiations between the management of the National Insurance Board (NIB) and the recognised majority union, the Public Service Association (PSA) for the 2014-2016 bargaining period. The high hand of the Minister of Finance upended any wage negotiations between the board and the workers.
It seems as though history is repeating itself yet again. It seems as though the Rowley-led Cabinet is seeking to hijack the collective bargaining process by abusing the office of the CPO.
I am calling on the state to honour the Memorandum of Understanding and Agreement reached between the workers and the management of the Port Authority, and for the Minister to stop interfering in the collective bargaining process.
Respectfully Submitted
RUDRANATH INDARSINGH
Member of Parliament for Couva South and SHADOW RESPONSIBILITY FOR
THE MINISTRY OF LABOUR and TOBAGO AFFAIRS.
681-2525, rudranath43@gmail.com
