Tuesday February 9th, 2010
- Last update:9 hours 43 min ago
As PTSC, TSTT file to revoke recognition...
UNC wants Govt to stop action against unions
Published: 28 Sep 2009
The Opposition United National Congress (UNC) wants the Government to move immediately to stop moves by TSTT and PTSC to decertify and revoke the recognition of the Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) and the Transport and Industrial Workers’ Union, respectively. The two companies have initiated legal action in the Industrial Court to decertify the two unions because of alleged industrial offences carried out by their members.
TSTT workers have engaged in sustained protest action because of delays in the pace of negotiations for a new collective agreement, while 13 PTSC workers have been dismissed for engaging in protest action at the City Gate facility earlier this month. Opposition Senator Wade Mark and MP for Oropouche East Dr Roodal Moonilal have both called for the immediate reinstatement of the affected workers at the two companies.
They did so during a news conference yesterday at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition. Mark called on citizens, trade unionists, churches, non-governmental organisations and political parties to unite to urgently remove the Government, which he said was anti-worker. Moonilal said this opportunity should be used to establish a movement against the Government “to, in the first instance, force those state companies to withdraw that application before the court.”
Moonilal said under the existing Industrial Relations Act, Labour Minister Rennie Dumas could intervene and resolve the matter even before being requested to do so. Moonilal said the substantive issues in both matters were “disputes before the Ministry of Labour and/or Industrial Court, so that no Industrial Relations Offence have been proven, so that both PTSC and TSTT are acting prematurely.”
BLIND LEADING BLIND
BLIND LEADING BLIND -
The PNM has placed its operatives in the organizations that it wants to destroy. They are dividing and conquering from within.
1) Opposition Parties, split three ways.
2) Labour Union split two ways.
3) Gang Leaders renamed Community Leaders, most killed.
4) Medical Association split.
5) The Media, bought out through controlling interest and adds.
Still working on
1) The Law Association
2) The Judiciary
The people have spoken, we
The people have spoken, we see it every day, I said it before Manning we have nothing to talk about, what are you doing, the country have spoken, we want elections now.
Ryan4Party
http://guardian.co.tt/news/ge
http://guardian.co.tt/news/general/2009/09/28/workers-rights-under-threa...
Is this a joke, how many
Is this a joke, how many people support this?
http://www.unmultimedia.org/radio/english/detail/82459.html
I support it. lots of people
I support it. lots of people support it. they dont have time to comment like we do, but trust me lots of people support this. the people that was left stranded support it. the mayor of toronto wants to make the transit system an essential service. it's not unheard off. unions make these ridiculous demands sometimes. they need to negotiate in good faith. most of all they need to stop encouraging laziness among workers. stop them from doing nothing but expecting a huge pay check when time comes.
For years we have had TSTT
For years we have had TSTT monopolized the phone industry in Trinidad and Tobago, to present times where now we see TSTT fighting with Digi Cell for everything, but TSTT themselves cannot provide a adequate service to the Trinidad and Tobago public.
So after all I have read in the Forum today, I am seeing lots of people that support the government getting in the middle of the TSTT and Union business, and we have seen the union complaining that Manning is getting into their business, why is the government getting in the middle of this?
Only a dictator will do something like this, so now I can see there are many Trinidad and Tobago bloggers that are supporting a dictatorship.
Lots of words to the UN but
Lots of words to the UN but we will never see any actions, just like every time Manning open his mouth, just talk, so you really think manning is going to get support from the un and the usa state department website is saying corruption is a problem in the government. If it work like that we would have see the leader of Iran having their way, but in reality this is not so.
While we want law and order,
While we want law and order, the people will oppose the dictatorship lurking in the background.
All parties must act responsibly and do what the public expects of them: workers, employers and government. And workers must not give government any excuse to seek to nullify their hard-won rights.
The country's democratic systems are already under serious threat. Let good sense prevail. The President of the Industrial has already briefed his colleagues of the need for their independence in their deliberations, and has expressed full support for the views of the Chief Justice. So we have to assume that workers would get a fair hearing when their disputes come before the Industrial Court.
By all means protest and demonstrate within the law and use legitimate channels to settle grievances, but please act responsibly if you expect public support. Laziness, lawlessness and sabotage have no place in the equation. If and when a worker is errant in his behaviour or action, his union is duty-bound to counsel him. After all, in any system of law and justice, there are rights and obligations. The alternative is chaos. One's rights must never trample on the rights of another.
It is time for the
It is time for the government of T&T to put in place legislations to reform trade union activities.
Present practices are archaic, trade unions have too much power at their disposal and force organisations to make decisions that directly affects their economic sustainability, growth and performance.
The employee's rights could be better championed through the review and implementaion of approprite employment legislation which should continuously evolve to support best practice in management. Both the employer's and employee's rights will be better served through effective unitary employment relationships.
What amazes me is that
What amazes me is that people support the barbaric methods employed by union members to attempt to get themselves heard. I'm not sure if people saw the clip of those TSTT workers storming the building and throwing aside of the security scanner in the most savage manner. TSTT workers are overpaid and some don't even have 5 subjects but got employed through nepotism as TSTT is well known for employing family and friends (and yes I can name names). Trade Unions in this country promote laziness and who really benefits, the members or the president who gets a high end SUV when he retires. In the case of the PTSC workers, yes you have a right to security but to withhold an essential service which so many rely upon is just heartless. Think about the hundreds of schoolchildren, the elderly and all the others who had to fight for a space in a maxi taxi. I have little sympathy for PTSC workers also since they drive very offensively, they flout traffic laws, even up to last week people who were going to cross at a red light had to scamper back as the bus came tunneling through. I'm not even going to get started on Petrotrin workers.....
I am just wondering... TSTT
I am just wondering... TSTT has an union... is there one for Digicell?
Amen, Speak my brother.
Amen, Speak my brother.
I totally agree with you.
I totally agree with you. everything in trinidad is about politics so we expect the opposing parties to do what they always do, that's a given. I see nothing wrong with making PTSC an essential service, it's like that in a lot of other countries. the canadian government is looking to do that with their transit system as well. dont let the politician distort the facts for you. you have your own good sence, so think about this and have your say. for the unions they all have a place in society, but I dont agree with the bullying ways they sometimes have. they encourage bad behavior and laziness, of their workers. remember when they suspended the nurses for allowing that little boy to die? he died begging them to call the doctor, they watch him die! they had every right to be fired, well what happened? the union said they had to be reinstaded, I guess it's ok for them to kill a child and get away with it.I wonder if it was one of the Union Leaders son who had died if they would be saying the nurse was fired unjustly. the unions could be very destructive sometimes. they only out for themselves. my grandmother was paying unions fees for years when she retired she got next to nothing from them. not even a thousand dollars. do you see how good the union leaders live? they have nice houses and nice cars while you taking public transport and paying them for years. public tansport should be deemed an essential service. they could still protest and make negotiation for higher wages and better working conditions, but they have to take the public into consideration sometimes.
Union Busting:- I do not
Union Busting:-
I do not believe the heavy handed steps being taken to destroy the Labour Movement in this country. This should not happen in a democracy. Unions have fought for years, since the days of Butler for the right they have today. We have seen attempts coming from all corners from this government to deprive the citizens of this country of their freedoms, and that includes you Union and your workers. You cannot and must not allow this to happen.
If you workers have to take actions to challenge wrongs you believe are being imposed upon you, please check and doubt check with your Unions and the Labour Laws in place, before you take any actions. Do not engage in rogue behaviour, as you will be walking right into the traps that are already there, ready and waiting to release you of your rights, and in addition de-certify your unions, leaving you stranded. You have safety/security under your Unions, and they will fight tooth and nail to protect you. Do not jeopardise your positions. Be on your best behaviour, before it is too late.
How could these two companies proceed with actions to de-certify the unions, while these matters are still before the Min. of Labour and/or Industrial. Are they not jumping the gun on this one? Is this not illegal?
We cannot and must not allow this to take place, as it could spell the beginning of the end of your rights as workers in this country.
Are we seeing our democracy destroyed before our very eyes. Do not give this gov't a helping hand to destroy you.
Gardenia you are allowing
Gardenia you are allowing your anti-PNM trend of thought to cloud your judgement. As a previous poster has pointed out, trade union practices in Trinidad and Tobago are out dated. Thier activities need to be reformed. No one is disputing what they have done for the labour movement, however their present heavy handed power hungry practices need to be reviewed and reformed for the better good of both the employees and employers.
Trade unions still have a part to play in employment relationships, but as a constructive partner. This can only be achieved through legislative reform, and as that previous poster pointed out legislative reform which continuosly evolves to support best practice in Human Resource Management.
Within the context of this article and in the absence of legislative reform, these organisations are probably taking the only route available to them to be free of these trade unions heavy handedness i.e. by seeking de-recognition.
All these anti PNM / anti UNC attitudes and sentiments etc have to be stopped, as they are just adding to the problems. A logical, constructive and unbiased approach is needed.
The Prince, you have read me
The Prince, you have read me the riot act today!
I beg to disagree with you that my "anti-PNM trend of thought" was getting in the way of my objectivity. For the record, I am not anti-PNM or any political party. I prefer to think that I am neutral, at least I try to be.
I may be a bit naive in terms of the labour movement as it stand, and presented my comments to reflect this. If the labour movement is so outdated and dysfunctional that it interferes with Labour/Management relations, then why is it being allowed to remain as is? Enacting legislation to bring this system up to date should be a priority. Labour Relations is a big issue.
Having a dysfunction/out of control labour movement ultimately cheats the workers , while at the same time creating unwanted and unnecessary headaches for employers.
Is this simply a case of leave it alone, and let it destroy itself.
Or is it sitting on the back burner waiting its turn.
As it stands it creates more problems for both sides.
Is my understanding of the current situation twisted? Or am I lacking in knowledge in the Labour Movement .. making it difficult for me to be objective? Could be
Gardenia, seems it's a case
Gardenia, seems it's a case of mistaken identity, unless you think I must have gone incognito, masquerading as "stewpeas". I hope that flu has not been affecting you too much and you didn't take that bush-doctor's advice and overdo the puncheon. A petit-quart should be just about right to destroy any H1N1, or whatever they call it.
But you know the saying "give a dog a bad name and hang him". The PNM, and in particular its "Dictador Maximo", has earned a reputation for so many misdeeds that you can't blame anyone for having mistrust in their every action these days.
Wish you a speedy recovery.
I made a complete fool of
I made a complete fool of myself, didn't I?
Sorry to say it was not the first time, and may not be the last.
I apologise for 'tarring and feathering' you, in error.
I'll send you white roses.
Oh no, I did not fill that prescription. Remember a blogger already called me a 'drunk' - can't live up to that reputation.
I had to call the doctors and was told to take Advil, no asprins, and drink lots of fluids, and soothe the throat with cough candy, stay in bed. Had no choice. If I deteriorated, I was to call the Dr. immediately. Wash your hand, over and over again, wipe your counter tops clean like a house maid.
Could not look at food with both eyes open. But in case you get this virus, and I hope you don't, your body will ache like hell and damnation. This is a different type of flu.
I'm over the fever, and I don't hurt so much, but the head still feel huge and the eyes are blurry. 2-3 days of terror.
I thought you spiked your coffee with that bush medicine, and flipped out, bit my head off.. Human behaviour is unpredictable!
My friend and her family got the virus and I must have gotten it from the kids.
Anyway, I think there will be some testing of patience. So watch your steps.
Won't give anyone a bad name nor hang 'em, either.
"Silence is a true friend who never betrays us." (Confucius)
Back to bed now..need my rest..back to normal by tomorrow?!
Thanks .. You are 'The Prince'
Never mind Gardenia. We all
Never mind Gardenia. We all make these mistakes, especially when under the influence of,er, the weather.. A President not too long ago reminded us to err is human, to fogive is divine. Easy for him to say.
I myself not so long ago was fooled, as was others like La Diva, until I was subtly corrected by a reference to elbows to the stomach and kicks to the shins. Not sure whether this was in the context of playing football, or fighting in the playground or whatever situation. Leaves it up to the imagination, with which I'm well blessed by my Maker.
Hope you get better soon. But go easy on that puncheon and keep hydrated with lots of liquids, preferably of the non-alcoholic variety.
Sounds like a mutated strain of H1N1. We could name this new killer virus the "property tax", although there are many other contenders out there like the "Karen", the "Jeremie" and so on that have that devastating ring to it.
Take care now,
The Prince.
WHERE IS THE FAIRNESS
WHERE IS THE FAIRNESS -
STEWPEAS
If you want to talk about Unions barbaric practices you must balance the practices of Management/Government of sending workers home without due process. How can you close down a company send home workers and the next day open back the same company under a new name, same building, same planes, same systems, same route rights agreement, same taxpayers subsidy and same people. The only difference no union and legally binding obligations such as health scheme and travel benefits which were given in lieu of financial compensation, not being honoured, just to deny workers their right to representation. If you did not see that as barbaric then you are Pro-PNM and Anti-Workers. Can you equate a barricade being pushed down in the same breath as breadwinners being sent home to children with hungry bellies? I hesitate to think that you do not even care about children, Anti-children too.
Fairplay, I think you are
Fairplay, I think you are missing the point, and also do not understand the internal, national and international environments in which organisations operate within to survive, achieve competitive advantage and longterm sustainability. Added to this there is the situation of the economic downturn in the global economy.
To be sucessfull within these environments organisations need the autonomy to develop positive working relationships with their employees their most valued resource, make decisions for growth, financial stability/profits and longterm survival. After all if an organisation folds its employees will not have a place to work.
My point is that the current trade union practices in T&T hinders organisations from achieving competitive advantage through their constant barrage of unrealistic demands on an already financially strained situation, inciting workers to their mindset, and forceful attempts to influence the strategic management planning process - not as a business partner but as a dictator.
After going through a barrage of bullying, interferance and unrealistic demands organisations will ultimately not be able to cope as is happening, and ultimately fold up. To prevent this from happening organisations may therefore be forced to make unpopular decisions...and unfortunately there may be casualties.
This is why we need legislative reform that supports best practice in human resource management, where workers will have a voice of their own. Trade unions do have a place -but as a business partner not a dictator.
You mentioned
"breadwinners being sent home to children with hungry bellies? I hesitate to think that you do not even care about children, Anti-children too".
Blame the legislative frame work that does not support best practice and unitary employment relationships, irresponsible trade union demands over time and organisations managing defensively against these trade unions. Again I will point out that is why we need legislative reform not the continued bullying of trade unions.
And fairplay I am not anti-children, in fact I care a great deal about the future of children, you probably interpret me to be so because of your lack of understanding on the subject matter - this situation cannot be addressed emotionally but logically. If this situation is allowed to continue unchecked lots more children will be suffering.
By the way I did not refer to trade union practices as barbaric - that was another poster. However it is a fitting description of current practices anyway.
YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND
YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND -
I have been,
1) An employee.
2) In Management.
2) On the board of a UNION.
3) And run my own business and my clients range from workers to corporations.
Even though I have worn many caps I do not forget where I came from. There but for the grace of GOD go I. If it were not for the militancy of Butler, Weeks and the Labour Movement many of us who feel we are middle class and want to look down on these tactics would still be doing yard boy and servant work in white people homes. If it were not for the militancy of the Unions PNM or UNC would never have been in Government. Without the support of Unions Obama would not be President today. Many of us would not have gone to a so called Prestige School. The political parties use their militancy and rallying of the troops at election to get over their point. Marches and civil disobedience have been the tools of Martin Luther King, Ghandi and Mandela. You think if they had not used the might of numbers anything would have changed. Apartheid would still be alive and well in South Africa. This is why Mandela refused to denounce Castro as you are now trying to denounce the tactics of the Trade Union Movement. What is interesting is that after the battle if fought and won by these Anti-PNM groups you will be one of the first to reap the rewards, for not being one of the good ones.
You still don't get the
You still don't get the point my friend.
Perhaps the membership has
Perhaps the membership has allowed Union leaders to take them into unreasoned comfort so repeatedly that, in contempt, they no longer discern societal right from wrong.
'Settle the issue' in Union terms is congruent with do it my way; or, my way is the only acceptable option. Failure so to do sparks a wave of terror tactics intended to intimidate and compel 'reasonableness'- my way.
Historically that worked against crown presence, culminating perhaps in the death of Charlie. But is that socially acceptable to the new Republic? - Ah go mash up de place if yuh ent gimme wha ah want!
In these troublesome times do we understand the standards we are cultivating in our guise for more? - even greed perhaps.
Think what we wish of employers, it remains irrefutable that they provide a very real basis for need satisfaction in society. Trample at peril of descent into the ash from which we rose a long time ago.
Destiny may well prove that human experience is cyclic!
I would prefer to witness reasoned arguments being adjudicated by scholastic minds in the interest of a people. Thuggery and badjohnism have long lost their relevance in my concept of this Island in the Sun.
But people must forge their preferences. However thy must always be mindful of behaviours being preset for tomorrows people - our children.
I remain confident that we are a well educated and civil people. Let us so live understanding the pain of deviant behaviours.
I would readily dissociate
I would readily dissociate myself from greed, unreasonableness, badjohnism, misbehaviour etc. But you have to ask the question: where is the example coming from? And when SWWTU staged their intimidatory marches in the 1960s using terror tactics to influence the politics,who permitted this sort of behaviour for short-term gains? And ditto in more recent times with "Mr Affidavit". When you sacrifice principles on the altar of political expediency, there is a huge price to pay. And having let the genie out of the bottle, it's not going to be easy to put it back in. No amount of ISA nor IRA could re-bottle it.
GREED AND UNRESONABLENESS
GREED AND UNRESONABLENESS -
PRINCE don't blame the PAUPERS be FAIR.
The genesis of the World Economic Crisis,
1) Talk to the Business Class.
2) Talk to Wall Street.
3) Talk to Maidoff.
4) Talk to Stanford
5) Where are you when billions in profits are made?
I suppose the paltry 5 and 10 percent increase in wages caused the world financial crisis. These wages go back into the system to buy goods and services that have increased by 30 to 60 percent at least. I suppose we all must be working like the Chinese Slave Labour for T&T to progress. I hope you leave your cushy job and go and sign up with Shang Hi Corporation.