RADHICA DE SILVA
Senior Multimedia Reporter
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
Tension brewed outside the T&TEC building in San Fernando on Thursday morning as workers, accompanied by a lively rhythm section, gathered to voice their opposition to management's proposed restructuring of staff.
Christopher Peters, Branch Secretary of the Oilfield Workers Trade Union (OWTU), led the charge, denouncing the move that would see workers from San Fernando relocated to Point Fortin and Rio Claro.
Peters emphasised that this decision is disrupting the lives of 2,800 employees, branding T&TEC management as inconsiderate.
"We are out here because we are left with no choice," Peters declared. "We have been serving the public without any issues, but for some reason, since the OPR (The Office of Procurement Regulation) came in, we're having problems getting our vehicles repaired. We're having Industrial Relations issues. Right now, they are trying to do a restructuring. It has not been acceptable to the workers, and they are having issues."
Despite efforts to engage in dialogue with management, Peters claimed there was a lack of consideration shown by T&TEC officials.
"We wrote to the management various letters asking for consideration," he explained. "The management just went ahead without having discussions and placed people in various areas and instructed them that they have to go. These are serious issues. We had a meeting, and they said they would have individual interviews with them to see if they could accommodate these workers. This has not been done thus far."
With the scheduled shift changes expected to be implemented on Thursday, Peters said tensions among workers reached a boiling point. "Today they are supposed to implement this shift change, but as you can see, the workers are incensed. They have reached their limits," Peters expressed. "We are emergency workers, maintenance workers, construction, and clerical workers. We are seeing a lot of challenges with the way this is being managed."
Amid concerns about the practicalities of the proposed changes, Peters underscored the impact on workers' daily lives.
"People set their lives according to their salaries and placements. You are upsetting their lives. Some people have been placed more than once. This is not being accepted," he asserted.
With frustration mounting and pleas for intervention echoing, Peters was asked whether there was a possibility of electricity disruptions if grievances remained unaddressed.
"I can't speak about that or say if there will be disruptions. We have been out here for two weeks between 6 am and 7 am, but we are not being heard, so we are now forced to resort to this," he warned.
As the protest continued, Peters emphasized the urgency of the situation. "We need some kind of intervention. It cannot be that they put a system in place, and we are under pressure by the system. We cannot get simple things like bulbs for the trucks. Repairs are taking long," he lamented.
Guardian Media has reached out to T&TEC's communications department and we are awaiting a comment.
However, Minister of Public Utilities Marvin Gonzales said he was not aware of a T&TEC restructuring plan.
He added: "Did the union produce evidence of this? If they are making the assertion, should they not be asked to submit proof of what they are saying?"
He added: "TTEC, like all other public bodies, continue to work closely with the OPR to ensure that procurement rules are complied with. If those rules are breached, then it is the same union that will call for management to be sanctioned or removed." He also said the assignment of staff is a matter for the management of TTEC, adding, "There is no place for the Minister to get involved in management's business."