Trade union as employer

THE EDITOR: Should the OWTU succeed in purchasing the Petrotrin refinery, the terms and conditions of employment will be vastly different. Salaries could never be the same as previously and there will be no yearly negotiations for increases. Big smile here. Resting and reflecting at regular intervals will be a thing of the past.

There will be no retrenchments, therefore salaries will remain small for many years until profits can be shown. Working for the OWTU will be a labour of love. No newly established company will expect to become financially viable in the first few years.

What about if the trade union movement also purchases the Augustus Long Hospital? Paying medical staff, if it can find them, will be a constant strain on resources. The daily upkeep of any hospital facility is horrendous.

It is not an impossible task, just highly unlikely that there will be early success. With the best of intentions, the management team will find it difficult to attract high fee-paying patients.

This is TT where image is everything. The OWTU as employer may be wishful thinking.

LYNETTE JOSEPH, Diego Martin