Port workers: Strike can affect Tobago ferry, cargo vessel

Workers at the cargo container area at the Port of Port of Spain walked off the job on October 2 over improper industrial relations practices, stalled wage negotiations and having to use dirty washrooms.

They say it is now only a matter of time before the Tobago ferry and the Cabo Star operations are also affected if their concerns are not addressed.

The workers walked off the job and gathered at the Seamen and Waterfront Worker Trade Union (SWWTU) Hall on Wrightson Road on Wednesday morning.

Newsday understands the employees also intend to stay away from work on Thursday.

The Port Authority issued a bulletin on Wednesday to inform stakeholders of the issue.

It said the cargo area is "operating at limited capacity due to the unavailability of the full complement of labour."

It added, however, that the vehicle import, barrel clearance and cargo payment offices all remain operational.

One employee who spoke on the condition of anonymity told Newsday the employees are trying to ensure their actions do not place strain on the majority of the general public.

“That’s why the Tobago ferry, the Cabo Star, and the barrel shop are all still operating, despite the conditions these workers face.

“It’s only businesses really that might be affected.”

SWWTU president general Michael Annisette left a meeting at Angostura to host a hastily arranged press conference at SWWTU Hall.

Speaking to the port workers, Annisette suggested more drastic actions may loom ahead.

“Our workers are not unreasonable people but don’t play us for fools and push us to a precipice. If you corner a dog, a cat or anything, he does fight back. Well, allyuh are cornered. I will say no more on that.”

Before Annisette arrived, workers were heard discussing their outrage over port management ignoring concerns about their working conditions.

“We are tired,” a worker said. “We have been toiling and toiling 365 days a year. Even during covid, we worked without rest or recognition or even acknowledgement of our issues.

“We are frustrated physically, emotionally, mentally and financially.”

Newsday was shown video footage of one of the bathroom areas used by workers.

In the video, some toilets are missing seats, while many of them are stained.

The shower stalls were also dirty and stained yellow with what one employee said was muck and grime built up after years of neglect.

“Look at the conditions. We are not animals. I know they call us wharf rats but I mean, really, come on!

“The port is an essential place. Why are they treating us as a bastard child?

“We didn’t even get a mention in the budget, except for two years ago when they wanted to talk about privatisation.”

A man shouted, “Enough is enough,” and his colleagues began chanting the phrase as another man added, “This is just a matter of how far we are willing to go.

“We don’t want any promises. We are tired of striking for one day, then going back to work and nothing changes,” said another worker.

Annisette shared similar concerns when asked what it would take to get the workers back on the job.

He said he empathises with the workers’ frustrations.

“I know, as the president, that management has made promises and I went to workers and said, ‘Go back to work,’ and it failed to materialise. I am not doing that again!

“To have any meaningful way forward management must demonstrate in a tangible way that they are doing certain things.”

He said there are certain things the port management can implement to convince the workers to return to work.

“Immediately, they could give instructions to the industrial relations (IR) and human resources (HR) departments to promote people and confirm them. That doesn’t need any rocket science.

“The washrooms need cleaning and there are cameras near to the washrooms that workers say violate their privacy. These are quick fixes I could go back to the workers with.”

Annisette was unable to say how many workers walked off the job or the amount of money the port could lose as a result.

He said, though, the workers’ actions will strike at the heart of the port’s profitability and could affect as much as 85 per cent of the port’s daily revenue, possibly leading to millions of dollars in loss.

Newsday tried to speak with port officials but attempts to contact management using the automated calling system failed.