Workers sent home by Trico Industries Limited in Tobago are calling for their outstanding benefits. After serving the cable company for years, they told us they lost their jobs back in April with no benefits.
According to the OWTU the matter is to be reported to the Labour Minister. More in this Elizabeth Williams report.
00:00We invited to a Zoom meeting, and during the course of the Zoom meeting, we were told that staff would be sent home, and the same day.
00:09So after the Zoom meeting, I got a phone call, I think Randal and Dight also got phone calls, telling them that the service no longer needed, we terminated for, we've been laid off for, they said, three months temporary leave, they said.
00:24So we asked about our benefits and stuff like that. They didn't give us any reply at that point in time.
00:32Mr. Allard was an employee for the past 23 years. Workers are also owed vacation days and other benefits.
00:40Another former employee who gave 19 years of his life to Trico Industries told TV6 News they met as a group with the company last month,
00:50were given assurances and are now being told something else.
00:55And from the September 24 months, it went to January to 36 months, in which we didn't have no solution.
01:05We didn't have a solution in that meeting. That meeting just left undone because we didn't come to our agreement or our decision in terms of what's taking place.
01:12And since then to now, we're still waiting on our feedback from them.
01:15Mr. Davidson told TV6 News after giving 19 years of service to Trico Industries Limited, it is unfair the way that he is now being treated.
01:26Mr. Davidson told TV6 News he is now having financial issues, unable to meet the demands of his family, especially with the reopening of school.
01:37Well, it don't feel good. So, you know, you put out your best day and night, sleepless nights, whatever was the situation, to fight for the company, with the company.
01:46And then the company just discard you with no care, no regards or anything to your family for that matter because school and everything start and, well, for me, is a challenge financially.
01:57The former workers are being represented by the Oilfield Workers Trade Union, OWTU.
02:05Labor Relations Officer OWTU, Vanessa Murray Chapman, told TV6 News the OWTU is representing the workers and met with HR representing Trico Industries Limited.
02:19Whilst the company calculated severance payments, they informed the union that because of financial challenges, they are unable to make any payment until January 2026.
02:31This is very unfortunate as these workers have their families to maintain and they have not received any funds since April 2nd, 2025, when they were placed on temporary layoff.
02:45They were actually retrenched on July 2nd, 2025.
02:49The union will be forwarding a trade dispute to the Minister of Labour, end quote.
02:55TV6 News also contacted part owner of Trico Industries Limited, Claude Benoit, for a comment on the matter.
03:03Mr. Benoit said the former workers have been meeting with the Human Resource Department of the company
03:09and the matter is being dealt with as meetings remain ongoing.
Be the first to comment