Union part of the problem at Petrotrin

THE EDITOR: I write to make a public call to Ancil Roget, president general of the OWTU, to follow up his “big” announcement at the end of the “mother of all marches” with a public release of the union’s buyout plan for Petrotrin. This can be the union’s claim to the “father of all transparent actions.”

As a very concerned citizen and former employee of Trintopec, I was personally exposed to the blatant wastage, endemic inefficiency and callous corruption of that predecessor firm for the short time I chose to remain employed there.

Trading in the currency of constant aggression for increased wages and “better” conditions, the union continues to be a major contributing factor to the problem. The Petrotrin management is not to be exonerated as it is the other part of the problem.

Not having the testicular fortitude to stand up to those blue-shirted unionists in the last 20 years as required by a changing world economic order has led us all to these crossroads, where the country’s survival depends on which turn we make.

So Roget, tell us who are your big financiers so as to attach some credibility to your “offer.” How do you propose that the unions fit into this proposed business model? What sort of moratorium in taxes do you propose? What is the assumed source and price of crude oil? Are you going to produce fuel at a cheaper or same price? What is the selling price to NP?

Surely this is how you yourself would address any plan proposed by the State for buyout and continued operation.

Roget, I put it to you that the interest of the union is simply that of the workers and the union itself; and not that of the rest of the public or the country.

Prove me wrong by making your buyout plan available for public scrutiny if you are truly interested in consultation as, make no mistake, the public is a major stakeholder here.

F KHAN, St Augustine