Senior Reporter
Efforts have been made to engage the business community concerning the ongoing impasse over wage negotiations at the Port of Port-of-Spain, Seamen and Waterfront Workers Trade Union (SWWTU) president Michael Annisette said yesterday.
He was responding to a call by Downtown Owners and Merchants Association (DOMA) President Gregory Aboud for the union to meet with business leaders to find a solution to the issue after the union claimed the business community had a one-sided view of the situation. Major business chambers have called on the government to urgently take whatever action is necessary to resolve the ongoing industrial action causing chaos at the Port of Port-of-Spain.
Annisette said the union had previously reached out to the business community and met with the Shipping Association of T&T and the Confederation of Regional Business Chambers.
“ I just make it the point that we have been active, and we would have reached out to several entities to meet with the union so that we could put the issues on the table, so there will be a better understanding of an issue that did not start this year,” he said.
“The general principle of the business community, which I understand is about your cargo, but how do we balance the two to ensure that the workers are treated with the respect and dignity that they deserve, and they are paid proper wages, but along with that, that we implement international best practice to make the port more attractive and much more competitive?”
Annisette also responded to the DOMA president’s suggestion that the timing of the industrial action could be seen as a selfish act by the workers.
He stressed that apart from seeking a 12 per cent salary increase for 2014 to 2017, the union is also calling on the Port Authority to implement the framework agreement which included a revamp of the overtime payment system at the Port. He explained that weekend workers are automatically paid overtime and an adjustment to this system could save the Port $100 million in costs.
“ We are not blinded and short-minded with just this specific issue. That is what we are dealing with. They are fighting for the very future and survival of the port, and we are speaking about efficiency, productivity and sustainability and making the port competitive. What is wrong with that? I want any businessperson to tell me what is wrong with that,” said Annisette.
This post was originally published on here
