Debunking myths used to silence labour (part 2)

OZZI WARWICK

Part II (continued from yesterday)

ON THE ISSUE of state enterprises, in particular Petrotrin, one of those enterprises on which the politicians and commentators always comment, it seems that many forgot that it was the recognised majority union, OWTU, that presented a proposal for its restructuring. In order to improve the efficiency and production of Petrotrin the OWTU submitted this proposal to the last administration as far back as 2011.

In fact, the union wrote the then prime minister about the crisis in Petrotrin, with no response. We can even go further back, when Malcolm Jones, supported by the then PNM government, pursued the WGTL project, the union vehemently objected to this initiative and stated that this was not in the best interest of Petrotrin.

In fact the union proposed that investment be made in infrastructure such as the lines, the storage tanks and to place some focus on south-west Soldado.

None of the industry experts supported the union and when that project crashed, costing the company billions of dollars, the same industry experts tried to blame the workers for the state of Petrotrin.

Now under the current Government, the union once again presented a comprehensive proposal which would have seen an efficient Petrotrin with increased production. The president general of the OWTU raised concerns that now that oil prices are steadily rising, the production of Petrotrin is steadily declining.

The union further raised concern that nothing is being done with regard to the restructuring of Petrotrin, with the board and management continuing business as usual. If these concerns are being raised by the union then how can the union and the workers be blamed for the poor performance of the company? This does not make any logical sense and defies all reason.

In terms of the myth that the trade union movement does not have solutions, let us look at the facts. Recognising the state of the economy, the Joint Trade Union Movement (JTUM) held a Conference of Shop Stewards and Branch Officers (COSSABO) on March 2, 2016, which said COSSABO mandated the leadership of JTUM to develop an economic plan for the country.

On the Labour Day (June 19) platform in 2016, comrade Ancel Roget presented Labour’s Economic Alternative Plan (LEAP). This was highly publicised in the local media, so I find it difficult to understand why people are still of the view that labour does not have solutions.

With regard to the allegation that workers only take action for more money, that has two inbuilt biases.

One, it is to suggest that even as the cost of living continues to rise, and salaries remain stagnant, that workers should say nothing and simply accept that.

Two, it shows a convenient recollection of facts, as workers were on the streets, on the Section 34 issue as well as staging a massive demonstration on corruption. Thousands of workers were on the streets on issues of governance and not pay, so it is a fact that the progressive labour movement has held true to its tradition in standing up for its members, being a voice for the voiceless, the poor and downtrodden.

Having clarified these issues then, we have to conclude that in general there is support for the issues raised by the progressive trade union movement on the 2018 Labour Day platform. There really is no response to the call for the day of rest and reflection, other than to support the trade union movement. In fact it is an opportunity in a democratic country for the citizens of the country to hold the Government to account.

Ozzi Warwick is the chief education and research officer of the OWTU and general secretary of JTUM

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"Debunking myths used to silence labour (part 2)"

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