Ex-Lennox Petroleum workers protest

Accusing Lennox Petroleum Ltd’s management of refusing to pay outstanding money, a group of former workers protested at the front of the CEO’s home in Sumadh Gardens, Vistabella on Thursday.

The protesters who are members of the Oilfield Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU), clapped, sang, and called out for Wayne Persad to come out and talk with them.

But no one answered, and within an hour, Southern Division police arrived and ordered the group to disperse. After a brief objection, the group complied.

Spokesman Vernon Perez said the company owes an estimated US$9.6 million to about 300 people.

Perez told reporters he worked with the company for many years.

"The company refuses to pay us. We have been fighting this battle for the past three years.

"The matter went to court, and we won. The company was supposed to pay us on September 30, based on a court order. It appealed the judgment and lost. November 30 was the final day to pay," Perez said.

"We want to know when he (Persad) is going to issue cheques to the workers. No one is telling us anything. We went to the main office and got no answers. All we need is our money. We just came here for our money."

Recently, a few workers protested twice outside the company's headquarters at Princess Margaret Street in San Fernando.

Newsday called the company’s office for comments, but the person who answered said no one there was authorised to speak and suggested that this reporter calls back tomorrow.