WORKERS at the ports of Port of Spain and Point Lisas were back on the job yesterday, and a breakdown in communication between management and workers is being blamed for the 24-hour shutdown.

A statement yesterday from the Minister of Transport Devant Maharaj said that after having discussions with the Seamen and Waterfront Workers' Trade Union president general Michael Annisette and management that the Point Lisas port and the port of Port of Spain have returned to normal operations. The release said that the closure was not a result of industrial action ignited by the unions but as a result of breakdown in communication between management and employees.

On Friday, employees of the cargo handling, clearance and loading areas left their areas unmanned, and only the barrel collection area remained open.

Workers had walked off the job after they said they were not paid the second tranche of back pay owed to them.

Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (PATT) general manager Colin Lucas called workers' action "premature" since they were promised to be paid before Carnival.

The strike action by workers was unsanctioned by its union SWWTU, since union president Annisette returned from a conference from Belgium Friday morning.

In the release, Maharaj extended his appreciation to Annisette for his effort in ensuring that the employees returned to duty and correct the communication between the management and employees.

Maharaj and Annisette toured the port of Port of Spain yesterday.