Senior Reporter
kevon.felmine@guardian.co.tt
Trinidad Cement Ltd (TCL) retirees, who have been staging protests over payments they claim have been owed to them for the past nine years, are threatening to escalate their actions.
Some of the disgruntled former workers staged a placard protest at the company’s gate in Claxton Bay yesterday.
Learie Mike, who left the company six years ago, said the retirees are owed gain-sharing based on a collective bargaining agreement between TCL and the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU).
Mike said the protests have not yielded any significant results, so the retirees and the union will discuss whether to take legal action or some other form of recourse.
“Many people may not hear our voice. All we want Trinidad Cement and Cemex to do is ... I want Trinidad Cement management to hear what we are saying this morning. There is a God above. I do not know who might not believe in God, but there is a God above, and what you do not like for yourself, do not give to others. God is going to judge you all,” he said.
The retirees said many of them had dedicated more than 30 years to the company, so their contributions should not be overlooked or undervalued.
Mike said there will be no interest on the money when TCL decides to pay but it will still assist the retirees and their families as some are struggling financially.
“You are squeezing us. You are causing us not to be able to sleep at night. Our families cannot get what they need to get,” he complained.
Hezekiah Muckett, a former operator, said the company was supposed to pay the gain-sharing upon retirement but the payments were delayed to keep the company financially stable and six years later, he is still fighting for his money.
He explained: “What we are talking about is gain-sharing. It was profit that the company made and it was promised to us based on the collective agreement between the company and the union.”
Muckett said although the value of money has decreased since 2015, it would still assist with expenses. He said some casual workers had worked for more than 30 years and left without receiving any pension. As a result, they are looking forward to receiving gain-sharing proceeds to help cover some of their expenses.
Muckett called on Minister of Labour Stephen Mc Clashie to step in and advocate for stronger labour laws, as it is illegal to withhold agreed payments.
TCL officials did not respond to calls for comment on the claims made by the retirees.