Trade union leaders threaten to take their dissatisfaction to the polls

Trade union leaders are threatening to show their dissatisfaction with the government’s stance on wage negotiations at the polls in next year’s general elections.

Several union leaders made the suggestion while addressing postal workers who gathered at the Eric Williams Financial Complex on November 15.

The leaders were there to show their solidarity with the workers who had just completed a march from Aranguez to Port of Spain.

TT Postal Workers Union president David Forbes, who missed his graduation ceremony at Cipriani College to take part in the march, called on the government to reopen all outstanding negotiations.

“Their power is within themselves, but we have the power to shake TT and the powers that be have to understand that”.

Rudi Atwell general secretary Aviation Communication and Allied Workers Union warned Finance Minister Colm Imbert, “Do right by the workers. We have 12 months before an election. We will be taking our grievances to the polls. So do right by your workers!”

Head of the Farmers livestock Shiraz Khan warned the workers about being fooled by politicians.

“Some of us get tie up by the little money they throwing at us from the one per cent. We forget how much ketch a—we get while walking in the sun and the rain.

“When it comes nearer to election and they tell you to deliver people’s polling cards, think about how much you are suffering.”

Seamen and Waterfront Workers Trade Union (SWWTU) leader Michael Annisette compared the struggles of the workers to that of an abuse victim as he urged them to make wise decisions.

“I know when election comes around I will see some of you in your red jersey and you will forget that you are suffering.

“You know what they say about living in an abusive house. If you getting licks from your man but you keep going back, what will happen to you eventually? Well we are getting licks now!”

General secretary of the Joint Trade Union Movement (JTUM) Ozzi Warwick said workers will not tolerate any disrespect.

“We have to show (the politicians) that we have power and we are willing to use that power to get what we deserve, what is fair, and what is just. That is ours and we must to be afraid to take it.”