Wednesday, October 10 2007

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Line-up: A Petrotrin protest sparked rumours of a gas shortage and this led to long lines at several service stations, including the NP station on Ric...

Petrotrin workers shut down six Petrotrin branches yesterday, including the Trinmar operations at Point Fortin, as they once again clamoured for job security, claiming that 2,500 are to be retrenched.

Their protest prompted panic buying at some service stations, mostly in North Trinidad, as news spread that there was a gas shortage because of industrial action.

However, last evening NP CEO Richard Callender advised that South Trinidad service stations may experience a shortage as NP trucks which fill up at the Pointe-a-Pierre gantry had to get their supplies at NP’s Sea Lots, Port-of-Spain plant. This resulted in a delay in deliveries to South Trinidad. He assured that all service stations in the North had gas and delivery trucks were making stops at stations up to 10 pm.

Yesterday’s work stoppage affected Petrotrin’s branches in Guayaguayare, Santa Flora, Forest Reserve, Guapo, Penal and Barrackpore.

OWTU Vice-President Ancil Roget said the workers continue to press for health and safety measures to be implemented at all Petrotrin bases, as well as for vacancies to be filled and better medical and pension benefits.

“The shut down is in Petrotrin’s best interest,” said Roget, as he led a march at the State-owned oil company’s Pointe-a-Pierre branch.

OWTU Pointe-a-Pierre branch president Ancil Bhagowtee spoke of plans to retrench 2,500 workers and pointed out that the management has done little to fill vacancies and has not promoted any employee for some time.

Roget reiterated this position.

“They do not intend to hire, promote or even fill vacancies. Petrotrin in 2007 is understaffed with areas needing more manpower before they can deliver,” said Roget. He added that offshore operations are critically understaffed and crews are being sent out to platforms with less manpower.

The OWTU leaders claimed efforts have been made to keep production levels down so that the company can sell out or contract certain areas, and referred to production fields that have already been given out to contractors or lease operators.

An increase in the number of accidents, which include a fatal explosion at a Trinmar base in May, and more recently a fire at a Siparia field which left two men hospitalised, has also been recorded, said Roget.

“Lives are at risk, yet the company is trying to develop a structure where a healthy, safe environment is not wanted,” added Bhagowtee.

The Ministry of Energy had made no comment on the protest action and attempts to contact the Corporate Communications Department of Petrotrin were unsuccessful.

However, sources disclosed that management has agreed to meet with OWTU officials today.