President general of Oilfields Workers Trade Union (OWTU) Ancel Roget says he has no intention of contesting any seat in the upcoming general election.
Roget was speaking to reporters during a joint trade union cossabo, at the union's headquarters in San Fernando. Roget expressed surprise over newspaper reports that he was a candidate. "I want to state categorically that I am not going up as any candidate for any constituency. There is absolutely no truth to that report."To publish such a report in a highly-charged political environment is one for concern and worry." Roget reiterated that he was never approached by any political party to contest a seat. "What we are doing here today is we are discussing our own intervention as workers.
"We have called all branch officers and shop stewards in a wider discussion to discuss the type of intervention we should make in the election, so at the end of the day we are given a mandate as to what type of intervention we should make for the entire society as a whole." He noted that as leader of OWTU, his mandate was to protect workers and seek the interest of the society. Claiming responsibility for the collapse of the PNM administration, Roget said it was the trade union movement which successfully brought pressure on the Government by highlighting corruption. "For far too long, workers have been calling for an improved quality of life. We believe that labour leaders and trade unions should be well represented in the corridors of power. We seek power to safeguard workers' interests." Roget said the labour movement would create a new political vehicle which would determine its agenda.
Asked about his views on a COP/UNC coalition, Roget said it was too early to speculate. "My understanding is discussions are still taking place, and it is a good thing for anybody who has the common interest of getting rid of the PNM," he said. While he supported the role of trade unionists in politics, Roget said he had no intention of fighting any seat. "That is not on the cards at this point, but we will continue to highlight issues and put in place a formidable system of governance that allows everyone in the country to benefit, not just a few," he added. He said the OWTU would hold its own meetings to highlight the Government's failure to tackle allegations of corruption in T&TEC, Udecott and Petrotrin.
Meanwhile, president general of BIGWU Vincent Cabrera said workers were under attack, and it was up to the unions to save the nation. "We must seek to reach a genuine workers' agenda. The workers will never forgive us if we compromise their struggle," he said. He said the PNM was continuing to attack the media and trade unions and would never win the election.
