PSA, UNC to join march against SRC salary hike

The Joint Trade Union Movement’s (JTUM) planned protest for Saturday has been given a numerical boost, as the Public Services Association (PSA) and United National Congress (UNC) members have pledged their attendance.

PSA president Leroy Baptiste told Guardian Media the decision was made yesterday.

“Workers have been asking us, that they want to say something, so we will give them that opportunity. In that regard, we are going to invite workers who want to show their discontent with the treatment meted out to them that Saturday seems to be the day that has been called and we will participate in it,” Baptiste explained.

JTUM has called on citizens to gather outside Whitehall at 9 am to protest Government’s acceptance of the Salaries Review Commission’s (SRC) 120th report which proposes hefty salary hikes for the Prime Minister, President and other top public officials.

JTUM’s dissatisfaction is also fuelled by the current context of the wage negotiations where other unions are being offered increases capped at four per cent under the narrative the country cannot afford anything more.

Baptiste said public officers must be treated with the same respect as politicians.

“The workers are being subjected to unequal treatment. Critical workers in the country, our public officers, people who ensure we have driver’s permits, passports, licensing our vehicles, birth certificates, death certificates and everything else, who run the country, literally they have been given 0%-0%-2%, which has no relation to their hard work, results and definitely no relation to the impact of inflation on their purchasing power,” Baptiste said.

However, he said the invitation is open and his members will not be mandated to attend.

“It’s not industrial action per say, from my understanding is, the activity is just to show up outside the Whitehall,” Baptiste explained.

He noted, though, that this would be a precursor for a PSA-planned mobilisation soon.

JTUM is also garnering international support, as the Caribbean Labour Solidarity (CLS) has committed to showing its support by picketing T&T’s High Commission in London on December 6.

A media release said the CLS executive had noted what it called the “unprecedented wave of industrial action sweeping the Caribbean islands of T&T.”

It said, “Caribbean Labour Solidarity wishes to make clear its support for the workers in Trinidad and Tobago. Workers, both blue and white collar, are in a massive struggle against a state which wishes to return them to a pre-trade union era when workers had no rights and no trade unions. CLIS will always support those who are struggling against such draconian measures.”

CLS also called for the, “recognition of all trade unions and their rights, the reestablishment of collective bargaining, the right of organised workers to withdraw their labour and the unconditional lifting of injunctions against the withdrawal of labour.”

However, JTUM will not be joined by the West Indies Group of University Teachers (WIGUT), which is currently facing an impasse in negotiations over the Government’s two per cent offer. Contacted yesterday, WIGUT president Dr Indira Rampersad said she would not be in the country over the weekend.

But JTUM will receive support from the party it asked its members to rally around on Labour Day this year.

Some UNC members yesterday said they will be attending with supporters.

Couva South MP Rudranath Indarsingh, Senator Wade Mark and Chaguanas Mayor Faiiq Mohammed confirmed their attendance.

Guardian Media understands there was no directive from the Opposition Leader for the UNC’s attendance but Indarsingh and Mohammed said their participation was a personal choice and is in keeping with the party’s principles.

Indarsingh explained, “I am the shadow for labour and this is a struggle by the labour movement and I have seen it fit to extend solidarity. The UNC has been born of a struggle for peace, bread, social justice and equity. The UNC has always stood on the side of the working class and will always be a friend of the workers of Trinidad and Tobago. This was clearly demonstrated between 2010-2015 and the ongoing social dialogue between the UNC, NATUC, JTUM and the wider labour movement.”

Meanwhile, Mohammed said, “This was my own decision, made because I’m committed to serving the people and doing what’s best for our community. I have a lot of respect for my party’s leadership and appreciate their advice, but this wasn’t something they directed me to do. It’s a choice I made based on what I believe is right for the people I represent.”

Other Opposition MPs such as Ravi Ratiram and Dr Roodal Moonilal expressed their support for Saturday’s movement but could not commit their attendance.

Earlier this week, Chaguanas West MP Dinesh Rambally confirmed his attendance.

Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday did not respond to a messaged query on whether she will be attending.

The post PSA, UNC to join march against SRC salary hike first appeared on CNC3.