By Richardson Dhalai Saturday, November 21 2009

There was a mixed public reaction to the call by the People’s Democracy (PD) for citizens to wear red yesterday in protest of social ills in Trinidad and Tobago.

According to spokesperson David Abdulah the response was not totally unexpected and varied from community to community.

“We haven’t got a report as yet but from what we are hearing is that a significant number of people wore red,” he said, adding, “It is mixed but some people have definitely heeded the call to wear red.”

But in a show of support for the five-day action OWTU president general Ancil Roget, dressed in red, led a delegation of Petrotrin (Trinmar) workers throughout the streets of Point Fortin.

Meanwhile, one trade union has distanced itself from the action saying it would only associate itself with labour matters.

In a media release, the central executive of the Contractors and General Workers Trade Union (CGWU) stated the union would “not be a part of any protest whatsoever and dissociates itself from the People’s Democracy organisation and their actions.”

The CGWU, which is a member of NATUC, said a unanimous decision to not take part in the protest was taken by all branches of the union at a meeting at its Rushworth Street, San Fernando head office on Thursday.

“The Contractors and General Workers Trade Union stays committed to the trade union movement, to labour solidarity and labour unity. We will associate ourselves strictly with labour matters,” the Owen Hinds-led union stated.

The CGWU is the recognised majority union for daily rated workers at the San Fernando City Corporation and also has other bargaining units.