Tobago T&TEC workers threaten ‘supply disruptions’ if issues unresolved

ELIZABETH GONZALES

Tobago Correspondent

T&TEC workers in Tobago are demanding a meeting with the board to address, what they say are longstanding issues related to working conditions and salary negotiations. They say if nothing is done the electricity supply on the island could be disrupted.

The employees began to protest outside the Scarborough office from as early as 6.30 yesterday morning with representatives of the Oilfields Workers Trade Union (OWTU) calling for better treatment. Speaking on behalf of the workers, executive vice-president of the union, Marcas Cordner warned that the negligence of the workers could interfere with operations.

He said, “We are facing a shortage of vehicles, stalled negotiations, poor quality testing equipment, low manpower, and several other issues. These concerns have been raised with management on numerous occasions, but the response is always, ‘I don’t know,’ or ‘I’ll see what I can do.’”

He claimed that workers not only in Tobago but across the country are dealing with these challenges.

Cordner then warned of possible inconveniences to customers in Tobago if these issues go unresolved.

“We can’t say that we would shut down Tobago, but if mismanagement continues and the ‘don’t care’ attitude from management persists, then it could probably happen, and it wouldn’t be on the backs of the workers.

“These issues could lead to electricity disruptions, and we need everyone to understand the gravity of the situation. While politicians claim that T&TEC is going the extra mile, no one sees how much we’ve regressed in terms of development. Enough is enough,” he said.

He also mentioned that salary negotiations have been stalled, with no offer from management yet. The workers called for urgent meetings and a quick resolution.

“Negotiations have been stalled for the last five months, covering the period from 2015 to 2020. We want to have meetings and hear an offer. To date, we haven’t been offered anything, not even zero.”

Public Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales could not be reached for comment.

T&TEC promised a statement on the matter, but up to late yesterday evening, no response had been sent out.

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