Speaking Notes of Political Leader MNF St Augustine

Good night, my UNC family, and thank you for coming out tonight, I know you are eager to hear more about the party’s views on the 2019 Budget.

Petrotrin Injunction

But before I speak to that, I want to congratulate the Petrotrin workers and their union.

The Industrial Court, today, granted an injunction in favour of the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) on behalf of employees of Petrotrin is a historic victory for the workers and for the rule of law in Trinidad and Tobago.

The Court’s ruling further exposes the repressive, exploitative and anti-worker stance of the Rowley regime and its disdain for proper industrial relations practice, including appropriate grievance procedures.

I applaud the victorious Petrotrin workers and their representative trade union, OWTU, on their courage and determination to challenge this oppressive PNM Government.

The Industrial Court’s judgment also corroborates my statements in my response to the 2018-19 national Budget last Friday. I stressed then that the issuance of termination letters to employees of Petrotrin while the injunction matter was being heard before the court was contemptuous. It really shows a government in contempt of the rule of law and the court processes.

The Rowley regime’s flagrant breach of the standing Memorandum of Agreement with the OWTU is typical of its arrogance and high-handedness.

The Opposition calls on the Government to honour the MOA and to engage in discussions with the representative union in good faith and in the best interest of all stakeholders.

Further, the Opposition calls on the Government to immediately stop any private negotiations with workers in an attempt to undermine the court’s ruling.

The Opposition trusts that this victory for workers of Petrotrin will lead to fruitful stakeholder dialogue, aimed at ensuring that the energy company is kept functioning and made viable and sustainable in the interests of all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.