Nine trade unions unite, warn of industrial unrest

Port of Spain: Nine trade unions joined together this morning and announced their rejection of the Government’s five per cent offer.   President of the Banking Insurance and General Workers Union (B.I.G.W.U.) Vincent Cabrera called on Minister of Finance Winston Dookeran to provide evidence to the country showing that five per cent is all the country can afford.  He accused the Government of painting a false picture of the country’s economy so to mislead the citizens. President of the Oil Field Workers Trade Union (O.W.T.U.) Ancel Roget said that until the Government presents them with a better offer there would be no industrial peace.  He said that Mr. Duke is not the Trade Union movement and so until workers are treated fairly at the bargaining table they will continue to reject the five per cent offer. President of the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teacher’s Association (T.T.U.T.A.) Roustan Job also sent a warning to the Government. He said that if the Chief Personnel Officer (C.P.O.) continues to offer five per cent there would be an exodus of teachers in the service. Police officers have also voiced their position as head of the Police Social and Welfare Association (P.S.W.A.) Anand Ramesar said that if their calls for an increase continue to fall on deaf ears they are willing to take unorthodox and radical actions if necessary.  While an offer has not yet been made to fire officers President of the Fire Officers Association (F.O.A.) Charles Ramsaroop said that if the five per cent offer is also brought to them he and his members would not be accepting.  The Trade Union body said that they were betrayed by the Government and not Mr. Duke and they would not allow the People’s Partnership to take advantage of them.