Nov 2014 Financial News

TCL workers reinstated after 2012 strike

Nov 04, 2014

Trinidad Cement Ltd (TCL) workers who were barred from returning to work, following a 90-day strike in 2012, were reinstated yesterday.

Eleven workers were escorted by Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) president general Ancel Roget and executive members through the gates of the Claxton Bay cement producer.

The workers were allowed back on the compound following discussions with the trade union and the company’s new board of directors.

They were among workers who faced disciplinary action after 600 employees walked off the job over stalled wage negotiations in 2012.

The OWTU served strike notice on the company stating it had become necessary because the company failed to put a decent offer on the table. The reinstatement of the workers yesterday was described as historic in the OWTU calendar.

“We feel very vindicated this morning, the OWTU and the workers of TCL. This morning ten out of 11 workers returned to work. The only reason why it don’t have all 11 going to work this morning is simply because one of those workers, I am informed, is out of the country,” he said.

Roget said the workers were within their rights to take strike action in 2012.

“That the strike was aimed at proving to the company that without the workers, there would be no normalcy and no normal levels of production. As that matter went before the court, the court supported the union’s call for a decent adjustment on wages and salaries and therefore the workers got their day in court and they got justice in court in respect of the strike,” he said.

Roget accused the company of victimising workers after the strike ended in June 2012.

He said TCL’s executive recognised that it was senseless to keep the remaining 11 workers out and therefore a decision was taken to have them return to work.

Roget said all 70 workers who were locked out following the strike were back on the job.

“These workers will be reinstated and they will receive all that was lost over the period of being kept out until today. They are expected to go back into the same positions. We will be looking out closely for any acts of victimisation,” he said.

TCL chairman Wilfred Espinet said the company was ready to continue its programme to restructure the company.

He said the company appreciated workers and was against victimisation.

“I think that surely the intention here is for us to build bridges and that is the purpose for the whole board that has come into TCL now, so thank you very much,” he said.

TCL will hold its annual general meeting at the Hilton Trinidad on November 21.

Source:
Carolyn Kissoon
Trinidad Express
Tuesday November 4, 2014

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/business/TCL-workers-reinstated-after-2012-strike-281395171.html