00:00Solidarity forever. That was the exclamation of a number of the leaders of various trade unions in Trinidad and Tobago
00:07as they came together to host a joint press conference with the Communication Workers Union. But today's press conference came
00:14with a warning for Minister of Public Utilities, Barry Padarath.
00:17And we will not be bullied. We will not be intimidated. The war that you want to start with the
00:27trade union movement, it starts with me. Or you are attempting to start with me. But when you come for
00:34me, you're coming for all of us.
00:39Ujir also made an appeal to Prime Minister Kamala Persaud-Bissessa.
00:43The Honorable Prime Minister, I am not trying to pull you out into any discussion with us. You are the
00:51chief servant. You were elected to serve. Unemployment doesn't see red or yellow. 10% doesn't see red or yellow.
01:03And when you were elected to serve, red and yellow is who you have to serve.
01:09Also speaking at the press conference were Tutor President Crystal Ash and President of the Steelworkers Union, Timothy Bailey, who
01:17emphasised that the trade union movement is as strong as ever. And they are not here to be enemies of
01:23the government.
01:24We are here to show a level of solidarity. A level of solidarity to show that the trade union movement
01:29in Trinidad and Tobago is strong.
01:31As strong as ever. We are not divided. We are not divided. We are together. And not to be an
01:41enemy of any government.
01:43We are committed to working with the government if the government is committed to doing it right by our membership.
01:51And against that background, we want to make it very clear that we will not be intimidated.
01:57We will not sit down, idly by, and allow any entity to oppress any leader of any trade union.
02:05Dominic Ramrook, TV6 News.
