PNM seeks answers on UNC-led Sangre Grande council's firing of 16 workers

The People’s National Movement (PNM) members of the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation will be seeking legal advice on the legality of the special statutory meeting held on March 31 where a vote was taken to rescind the employment contracts of 16 people.

Speaking at a press conference at the corporation on Thursday, alderman Daneille Marshall-Piper said, “We need to know if, given the fact that they wanted to rescind a decision and they do not have just cause, if that vote was to be taken.”

On March 18 at a personnel committee meeting, the Sangre Grande Council unanimously approved the recruitment of 16 people for six months, and the decision was ratified at a statutory meeting on March 25. Twelve were employees who had worked at the corporation for four to eight years, and four were new employees.

It is alleged that, upon realising those hired were not United National Congress (UNC) supporters, a special meeting was called and a vote was taken to rescind their employment.

Vice-chairman and councillor for Manzanilla/ Fishing Pond Kenwyn Phillip; councillor for Sangre Grande South Calvin Seecharan; councillor for Sangre Grande North West Nassar Hosein; councillor for Cumuto/Tamana Anil Maharaj; alderman Suzan Holder and alderman Keon Saroopsingh, all of the UNC, voted to send home the short-term contract workers.

The five PNM members voted against the move, while chairman of the corporation, Anil Juteram abstained.

The workers were supposed to sign their six month contract on Thursday but instead they got letters telling them they were no longer employed.

Marshall-Piper said the PNM members of the council were in “total disagreement” with the decision as well as the fact that the UNC members “insisted” on being part of the hiring process, which was not a part of their roles and functions.

“It is important to note that this meeting was called with the specific reason to rescind the decision to employ 16 persons in our region where, during this pandemic period, it (employment) is paramount to everyone.

“We in the PNM, of course, we voted to keep these workers, not only because they were there four to eight years, but because these workers have performed exemplary throughout their time here.”

She said the roles of the 12 who were rehired were important ones that were necessary to the normal functioning of the corporation. Now, the corporation was seriously understaffed.

Some of the committees affected were public health, occupational health and safety, personnel, disaster management, and tourism. In addition, the local economic development department which won a President’s award for innovation in the public sector under councillor for Toco/ Fishing Pond Terry Rondon’s chairmanship, was now defunct as none the workers in that department were reinstated.

Valencia West councillor Simone Gill-Joseph said, “We want to let the nation know that this was a calculated decision of the members of the United National Congress in this regional corporation. A calculated decision that is acting to the detriment of the burgesses, that is acting to the detriment of this corporation, that is acting to the detriment of our employees and this council.”

She added that it was a humanitarian issue as those affected were single mothers and fathers, people who were living pay cheque to pay cheque, and who now have nothing to look forward to for the next six months.

Rondon said his party would do everything they can to ensure justice prevailed, even as he and the other PNM councillors blamed Juteram for the outcome.

Paul Mongolas, councillor for Sangre Grande North East, said in December 2020 the same workers were on the bread line for January 2021 and Juteram used his vote to their benefit saying he was voting on his conscience. He asked, what happened between December and March to change his decision?

Instead, because Juteram abstained, he gave the UNC members the win.

Marshall-Piper said, “The chairman of the council is going all about on radio, on national television, making out as though he’s a victim. When if he had simply voted for this measure, these persons would have been employed today.”

She also stressed that the funds were available to pay the workers, so finances could not be a reason for the rescind the contracts.

Gill-Joseph added, “The PNM is stating categorically that the finger tips of the UNC external factors should not be coming into this corporation to dictate the running of this corporation. Every member here has been elected and selected for and by the people and the people should be the ones who are the final beneficiaries of every decision that is taken here.”

One source said while Juteram was previously informed that the 12 employees would seek legal advice, a pre-action protocol letter would be served to the corporation and the council on Tuesday.

“The corporate secretary informed them it was illegal because to rescind the decision they must have a proper legal excuse as to why you’re rescinding it. For example, if the person was not interviewed or they don’t have the qualifications. Then they have a case.”

They added that the fact that their contracts had expired was not relevant because the new ones were approved before being rescinded.