JTUM calls on the Port Authority to stop the use of military personnel

FILE PHOTO: President General of Oilfields Workers Trade Union Ancel Roget addresses members of the media during JTUM’s press conference at the Communication Workers Union Henry, Street, Port-of-Spain. Also in picture are, OWTU’s Chief Education and Research Officer and Treasurer, Ozzi Warick, left, and President of the Prisons Officers Association Gerard Gordon.

The Joint Trade Union Movement (JTUM) says it is outrightly and unequivocally condemning the use of the military force by the State to conduct work activities of civilian workers.
In a statement today, JTUM said it stands in complete solidarity with the Seamen and Waterfront Workers’ Trade Union (SWWTU) and the Port workers as they stand up for justice, fairness and equity for these workers.
“The Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago’s (PATT) decision to use the military force in this form shows the militarization of civilian and workers’ disputes which sets the stage for a dangerous precedent and the creation of a Military and Dictatorial State. JTUM is clear that the Port Authority acted with the express permission and approval of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT).  This is indeed a most frightening development,” JTUM said.
The union umbrella body said military personnel are trained for defence and security tasks to protect our citizens from external and internal threats, and clearly, the Port workers did not pose any such threat.
“This action by the Port Authority shows a clear erosion of Civil Liberties by using this military force to replace workers which undermines workers’ rights, industrial relations and civil liberties, as it suppresses legitimate labour disputes, and collective bargaining efforts thereby totally eroding democratic principles,” it said.
JTUM said such actions must not only be condemned by the trade union movement but by every right-thinking law-abiding citizen who holds to the principle of law and order among the citizens and who holds concern for government dictatorship against the people.
“Unwarranted use of the coercive arm of the State against ordinary workers who are simply fighting for their rights must never be supported. Today is the Port workers but tomorrow it could be you as an ordinary citizen if this extreme abuse of state power is allowed to take root,” it added.
JTUM said instead of calling out the military, it calls on the Port Authority to implement the agreement signed with the Seamen and Waterfront Trade Union (SWWTU) for the collective bargaining period 2014-2017.
“JTUM also calls on the government to cease and desist from the misuse of military personnel and instruct the Port Authority to engage with the SWWTU in good faith in free and fair collective bargaining,” it said.

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