Saturday, September 29 2007

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Liming with Newsday: This man keeps a copy of his Newsday close as he enjoys a chat with friends on the Brian Lara Promenade, Port-of-Spain. He has wo...

Trade union representatives were yesterday thankful that Prime Minister Patrick Manning had ended the “cat and mouse game” by announcing November 5 as the election date. They are calling for the Government to settle outstanding negotiations.

Acting president of the Public Services Association (PSA) Stephen Thomas said outstanding negotiations for workers of the Airports Authority, Civil Aviation Authority, National Insurance Board, Housing Development Corporation “must be settled” before the election. He said the three-year period for collective agreements being negotiated will expire in December.

“We are of the view it is immoral for Government to abdicate its responsibility to treat with the legitimate demands of these workers for salary adjustments via the free collective bargaining process and then ask the same workers to come out and vote for any political party.”

Thomas said with all the election talk and propaganda, all political parties have maintained a “deafening silence” on outstanding negotiations. He said negotiations should not be left in limbo.

President of the Communications Workers Union John Julien said the union would have to “step up” its action before the election day. He said the settlement of collective agreements for workers at Hilton and Telecommunications Services of TT (TSTT) must be settled.