Increased security as PM meets 19 trade union leaders

Port-of-Spain: Hundreds of workers are expected to gather outside the Office of the Prime Minister just after lunch Tuesday to show their support as their leaders hold talks with the prime minister and members of her Cabinet.

The talks are carded to begin at 2.30 in the afternoon and 19 trade union leaders are due to particpate.

The unions and the government have been at odds over what the unions' insist is a five percent wage cap put on salary negotiations with government agencies and workers.

While the the prime minister has maintained that their is no salary cap, the unions point to repeated statements by her and other ministers that the government cannot afford to pay more than five percent.

A statement issued by the Government Information Services today states that the prime minister and her team are looking forward with great anticipation to the meeting with members of the leadership of the country's trade union movement.

The prime minister told reporters in South Trinidad that she is optimistic union leaders would put country first.

Meanwhile marathon talks were held today involving the police executive, national security officials, the CEO of the Water Authority as well as the Electricity Commission and Public Utilities officials in the event that the talks fail.

The meeting was held at the fifth floor of the Police Administration Building and began around 10 am and ended shortly after 5 pm. 

Police say there would be increased security for the prime minister and also around her office, when she meets with the trade union leaders.