Angostura settles, workers to get 'incentive'

Michael Annisette -
Michael Annisette -

Employees of Angostura have returned to work after taking action when they learned they would not receive their annual incentives this year. Media reports said some 300 workers downed tools over a decision by management not to pay bonuses.

However, president of the Seamen and Waterfront Workers Trade Union (SWWTU) Michael Annisette said it was not a bonus but an interim incentive, and the workers did not walk off of the job.

In a statement on Thursday, the company said an agreement was reached between Angostura and the union on Wednesday evening.

The statement quoted Angostura’s executive manager-corporate services Rahim Mohammed as saying, “We were able to arrive at a resolution of the matter, through dialogue. Management and the SWWTU reached an agreement for an ex-gratia payment to the employees, which is in addition to their full December salaries.”

Annisette said the facts of the matter were that historically Angostura pays incentives to its workers, and the interim incentive is usually paid in December because that is the company’s financial year-end.

“However, the management of Angostura met and made a decision that they were not going to pay any incentives.”

He said this was not communicated officially to the workers, but only informally on the floor, and workers felt betrayed. Annisette said it was not discussed with the executive of the union, the representative shop stewards or branch executives.

He added this was a breach of the usual protocols for discussing issues that affect workers.

“The workers quite rightly started to react, because they felt betrayed.

“Three days after the information, the management called us, which was Friday gone, and they apologised and attempted to say that things were bad.

“We were able to demonstrate that, based on their audited financial statements what they were saying was incorrect.”

He said the company’s financial results for 2020 were “much better” than 2019.

“And in 2019 you paid the interim incentive, and therefore there was no justification whatsoever to take the decision that would have been taken unilaterally.”

He added that the union discussed the matter with management and a final offer was made which the workers and their representatives rejected.

As a consequence, he said, the workers were more incensed, given management's stance that only a certain amount could be paid and the financial records did not support what was being said.

He said the company’s chairman, Terrence Bharath, called him on Wednesday when action was taken.

“And it was not a walk-off as has been said. A walk-off is when people are on their jobs and they down tools and they walk off the job. That was not done.”

He added he had a long discussion with the chairman and the branch representatives that went late into the night, but a reasonable solution was reached, given the circumstances, he said.

Annisette publicly thanked the workers and representatives for “showing the maturity and understanding.”

He also thanked the chairman for contacting him for a one-on-one discussion.

Asked what was the difference between the bonus and the interim incentive, Annisette said an incentive is any form of guaranteed, variable payment tied to performance, whereas bonuses are cash incentives that can be paid at the sole discretion of management.

He asked, “How can you put a financial cost to a workforce that feels betrayed or dissatisfied or dejected?

“I just want to warn all managements, when you’re making decisions, it is not only about you, but you must take into consideration the workers, because the workers are human beings and you have to understand that.

“Their perception is their reality and it cannot be take it or leave it. Not in the 21st century.

“You must have engagement and empowering of the two sides. There must be mutual respect and mutual benefit. It has to be that you put the best interest of the company, the workers and the management and tie it in together to come up with amicable resolutions.”

He said the workers will receive what was agreed to next week. While he could not give the exact amount of the ex-gratia payment, he said it was over $2 million.

Angostura in its statement said it has been a year of unforeseen challenges for everyone. It added that the company would like to recognise its employees and the contribution made during these unprecedented times to keep Angostura operational during the pandemic.

“It has not been business as usual for other corporate entities in our country, and Angostura is no exception.

“We look forward to the continued support from our employees, for the betterment of our company, mindful of the many challenges that we all face during a global pandemic,” it said.

Comments

"Angostura settles, workers to get 'incentive'"

More in this section