Pointe-a-Pierre: The army has moved into the Point-a-Peirre compound of state owned Petrotrin and is being housed in a hostel on the compound of the Augustus Long Hospital, in light of a pending strike by Petrotrin workers.
Petrotrin officials confirmed this afternoon that the army personnel started moving in earlier today and will be setting up operations at strategic points.
The company had been training army perosnnel to assist with the filling and transportation of fuel in preparation for any eventuality and now that the Oilfield Workers Trade Union has served strike notice, the company says all strategies are being implemented to ensure that its operations continue uninterrupted and that the public is not affected.
There is not full support for the proposed strike.
Workers at the Petrotrin bond do not support the action and company officials say army personnel will be on hand to ensure that there are no untoward incidents and to protect those employees who want to remain on the job.
Labour Minister Errol Mcleod who met with the employees until 4am says he will say nothing to exacerbate the tense situation.
He says it was clear from discussions with both parties that there is a willingness to talk, and ever the eternal optimist he remains optimistic that they will negotiate a settlement to stop the proposed strike.
Minister Mcleod believes progress was made in the talks which started late Tuesday evening and ended early Wednesday morning..
Petrotrin meantime says it remains open to talks and is assuring the national community that all systems are in place to ensure there is no shortage of fuel.
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