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CCNTV6
  • 7 months ago
President of the Seamen and Waterfront Workers Trade Union Michael Annisette isn't necessarily against a private entity assuming control of the operations of the Port of Port of Spain.
Transcript
00:00TV6 News has contacted Minister of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanam.
00:04The minister was unable to field all questions at the time,
00:07but he has indicated that a response will be forthcoming.
00:12Meanwhile, President of the Seaman and Waterfront Workers' Trade Union, Michael Anisat,
00:16isn't necessarily against a private entity assuming control of the operations of the Port of Port of Spain.
00:22He believes it might auger well for the efficiency of the port.
00:25In terms of bringing it up to international standards, which he says was part of an agreement
00:31signed under the PP administration, but never implemented under the PNM.
00:36And while a preferred bidder has been selected,
00:39he cannot say he is in support of where things stand at the present.
00:45Support can only come true if we are part of the negotiating table,
00:51that we know what are the agreements, we've participated in it intimately,
00:58so that the interests of the workers that I represent will be protected.
01:04There must be engagement from the initial stages with the union and workers who are major stakeholders.
01:13That has not been forthcoming.
01:15Anisat is of the view a foreign company will see reductions in the size of the workgroups,
01:23a five-in-seven workweek, and an increase in productivity levels,
01:27which he says were all part of the signed agreement.
01:30The union tells us it will not leave the terms and conditions of employment
01:33up to the government and the preferred bidder.
01:36The union will be waiting patiently for transparency.
01:42The union will be waiting and demanding that whatever negotiations is being done with its partner,
01:50to put the framework agreement for the operationalization of the agreement,
01:57that we have to be part of that.
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