STATE-owned Petrotrin's refinery at Pointe a Pierre, which had to be shut down this week, as a result of industrial action taken by workers who are members of the Oilfields Workers' Trade Union.
Court Orders Petrotrin Employees - GET BACK TO WORK
...Industrial Court in late night hearing
By
Carolyn Kissoon Express South Bureau
Story Created:
Mar 20, 2013 at 12:55 PM ECT
Story Updated:
Mar 21, 2013 at 10:42 AM ECT
THE Industrial Court last night ordered Petrotrin workers to
return to work, after hearing an application by the company for an injunction compelling the Oilfields Workers Trade Union (OWTU) to stop its week-long industrial action.
The State-owned company has been crippled by the work stoppage that has forced the shutdown of its refinery operations. The company has claimed estimated losses of $700 million during the period.
As a result of the court order, workers returned to work this morning, while the union met to discuss its next course of action.
President General of the OWTU Ancel Roget said today “We as a lawful trade union. We are law abiding citizens and so we are complying with any order of the court. We had to send the workers back to work. The union went to the various fields and divisions and told workers what the court order was and they should go back to work. Every single worker complied and they are now on the job.”
Roget said the court recommended that the union and management go into conciliation to resolve outstanding issues, including filling vacancies and outstanding payments. The discussions will begin on Friday.
On Monday, Petrotrin applied to the Industrial Court for an order against the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) in respect of their commission of an Industrial Relations Offence contrary to the Industrial Relations Act.
Last night, both Petrotrin and the OWTU appeared at the Industrial Court, regarding Petrotrin’s application for an injunction to compel the OWTU to cease its illegal industrial action.
The application was heard by President of the Court Debra Thomas-Felix, and members Albert Aderdeen, Nizam Khan, and Kyril Jack.
At 9 p.m, the Court ordered the cessation of the Industrial Action by the OWTU. Appearing for Petrotrin were Russell Martineau SC, Douglas Mendes SC, Addison Khan and Allister Khan.
Appearing for the OWTU were Stuart Young, Michael Quamina and Anthony Bullock.
On Friday, the parties will return to the Industrial Court for further directions. The Express understands that on that day, the injunction and Petrotrin's complaint regarding an industrial relations offence, will be heard as one issue before the Court.
carolyn.kissoon@trinidadexpress.com
