OWTU: Uncertainty over redeployed Unilever workers

WHILE some 176 workers were retrenched from Unilever’s Homes Division at its Champs Fleurs plant, uncertainty remains as to the future of 110 workers of the company’s Spreads Division redeployed to work under a new company Upfield, OWTU second vice president Sati Gajadhar-Innis told Newsday on Wednesday. Those workers were in the OWTU bargaining unit, she said.

These cohorts of 176 and 110 make up the 286 workers whose fate Opposition Senator Wade Mark had inquired about on Tuesday.

In reply, Labour Minister Jennifer Baptiste-Primus had told the Senate 382 workers were being retrenched, in tranches of 191, 184 and seven respectively, as Unilever ceased all manufacturing operations in TT.

The difference between Mark's figure and the minister’s figure were thought to be non-unionised workers, according to Gajadhar-Innis, but she did not know their fate.

She said the Homes Division had made soap, laundry powder and dishwashing liquid, while the Spreads Divisions makes products like margarine. Of the now defunct Homes Division, Gajadhar-Innis said such products now seen on supermarket shelves are no longer made in TT but have been imported.

She said since last year the Spreads Division was manufacturing subject to an arrangement with Upfield and she wanted to see if the latter would declare a profit on these operations.

“So the plant is still running and Unilever is contracted to supply labour and to use its plant and equipment to manufacture for Upfield.”

Gajadhar-Innis said, “The company told us Upfield wants the Spreads Division to go to 2022, but we are not sure if Upfield will keep or terminate the contract.”

She said there now exists a level of uncertainty over employment levels were Upfield to end its arrangement with Unilever.

Of the eight matters which Baptiste-Primus had said had been sent to her for conciliation, Gajadhar-Innis said each case could involve multiple workers, possibly even the entire workforce.

Saying the closure of a major manufacturing operation has caused retrenchment, with an expectation of more, she lamented that some companies create businesses when things are good, but later pull out and send home workers.

Gajadhar-Innis called for a national policy to try to keep companies operating here.