Senior Political Reporter
Port Authority workers are demanding the remaining 80 per cent of their outstanding backpay and overtime, now estimated at approximately $337 million, while pressing the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (PATT) Board to settle four long-delayed collective agreements dating from 2014 to the present.
Seamen and Waterfront Workers’ Trade Union (SWWTU) president general Michael Annisette yesterday warned that workers, who are still being paid according to 2014 wage rates, are growing increasingly frustrated and could take matters into their own hands if the PATT Board fails to respond to the union by Wednesday.
“Port workers are now living on 2014 wages. We wrote the PATT on July 24 seeking discussions on these issues. We’ve received no answer. I’m writing again on Monday (today). If PATT’s board doesn’t respond by Wednesday, it will be taking the matter from SWWTU’s hands and putting it into the hands of workers who are quite rightly upset,” Annisette said.
He added that the Port of Port-of-Spain’s 1,500 workers had patiently suffered through wages that came into force in 2014 and were not increased, although Trinidad and Tobago’s cost of living has increased considerably since.
He also noted that Point Lisas Port workers’ compensation is 22 to 34 per cent more than PoS Port employees’ own.
Annisette said the union thanked the PATT for delivering to port workers the 20 per cent payment of their backpay on July 30. This was at 20 per cent on the salary base rate and minus overtime, and totalled $32 million.
SWWTU’s July 24 letter to the PATT stated that while the 20 per cent payment is appreciated as an interim measure, “Employees have now waited several years for monies lawfully due to them and the union therefore considers it reasonable that the parties agree on a timetable for payment of the remaining 80 per cent of the approved arrears,” the letter read.
SWWTU recommended that the outstanding balance be settled in full within an agreed timeframe and “should not be subject to further advances, phased payments or unnecessary delays.”
The union had queried PATT’s figure of $242.1 million for the approved arrears and asked how that was calculated.
Yesterday, Annisette said this was found to have been calculated at salary base rate minus overtime. But he said SWWTU has requested the overtime also be paid.
He said he understands that a new figure of $337 million is now awaiting Cabinet approval.
SWWTU’s letter also stated that proposed discussions also include resolution of the outstanding collective bargaining agreements, representing years of unresolved negotiations. The letter expressed disappointment at PATT’s failure to engage the union to bring closure on this.
The agreements are 2014 to 2017, 2017 to 2020 and 2020 to 2023. Yesterday, Annisette said it is now four bargaining periods since the 2023 to 2026 agreement ended on July 31.
Another agreement, which began on August 1, 2026, covers up to 2029.
Annisette acknowledged a considerable amount of money would be involved in settling these four outstanding agreements.
“But apart from treating workers fairly and facilitating rates comparable to Point Lisas workers, it’s also in the PATT’s best interest to settle now before global economic circumstances and geopolitics affect T&T’s economy and ability to meet commitments ahead. We’d warned PNM Finance minister Imbert about that when we asked them to deal with the outstanding issue. We say the same now,” Annisette added.
Annisette said SWWTU’s negotiations have been with PATT, not the Chief Personnel Officer (CPO).
Contacted for a comment, PATT officials did not respond to Guardian Media up to press time.
