JTUM JOINS NATUC ON POS PORT ACTION

CCNTV6

The Joint Trade Union Movement is now uniting with the National Trade Union Centre on what is being referred to as "the struggle" of dock workers on the Port of Spain Port.   It comes as some operations at the Port were disrupted on Wednesday. Workers downed tools again, saying they are not backing down on their demands.   Alicia Boucher has more in this report.

Transcript

00:00No surrender, no retreat.

00:03No surrender, no retreat.

00:06Dock workers on the Port of Spain port engaged in industrial action again on Wednesday,

00:12resulting in a shutdown of vessel operations, loading and discharge,

00:16as well as the West Gate for the receipt and delivery of full containers,

00:20as confirmed by the port's management.

00:23President of the Seamen and Waterfront Workers Trade Union, Michael Anasset,

00:27addressing the gathering at the SWWTU's hall,

00:30apart from saying that Point Lisa's dock workers have pledged their solidarity,

00:35made this announcement.

00:37I had a conversation with the Secretary General of JATOM,

00:44Comrade Ozzie Warwick, today,

00:48and we have agreed strategically to merge our struggles.

00:53In this regard, Anasset encourages dock workers to lend support to postal workers

00:58who are set to protest on Thursday and Friday,

01:01and he expects members of JATOM to reciprocate when dock workers,

01:05and by extension, workers under NATOC, take action.

01:09Amid the impasse, Anasset says business people form a united front when they face issues,

01:14and he makes a call to them.

01:16If you love Trinidad and Tobago beyond the sight of what is right,

01:22and not only study that your goods will get affected for Christmas.

01:28The SWWTU continues to reject statements that a 12% wage increase agreement

01:34it signed with the Port Authority under the PP administration

01:37needs approval from the Chief Personal Officer.

01:40With the government's counteroffer of 4% for two bargaining periods,

01:44the industrial unrest shows no sign of abating.

01:48And I'm telling them now publicly,

01:50you're going to make the biggest mistakes in all your life.

01:53You're going to see a struggle that you never will see again.

01:58You touch dock workers, you make the biggest mistake in your life.

02:02Understand that, and we're in this for the long haul.

02:06Alicia Boucher, TV6 News.

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