The instability in the postal sector is set to increase as union officials have warned that the failure by the Chief Personnel Officer (CPO) to conclude negotiations would continue to affect negatively postal operations in T&T.
Issuing the warning against the backdrop of more than 100 workers protesting outside the CPO’s office, St Vincent Street, Port-of-Spain, yesterday morning, general secretary of the Postal Workers Union, Reginald Crichlow, said: “There will be no normal conditions within the postal corporation until we resolve this matter.”
Dissatisfied with the pace of negotiations, Crichlow said CPO Stephanie Lewis last met with the TTPost board about three weeks ago.
Following that meeting, he said the board had consulted the union and they were able to decide on non-cost items.
However, he accused Lewis of “pussyfooting” around the issue as they were awaiting a determination on other items, such as the collective agreement for the years 2011 to 2013, improved working conditions and the application of a job evaluation exercise regarding each category of worker.
Having assembled outside the CPO’s office from 8 am, the protesting workers attracted the attention of passing motorists and pedestrians who slowed to watch the noisy demonstration, which was also viewed by workers of the CPO’s office.
Supported by Forbes, Crichlow said: “We are saying the workers are fed up and operating as a responsible union, we want to negotiate in good faith but the CPO is pussyfooting in regard to the timely resolution of these issues.”
Claiming that “certain conditions have begun to develop in the postal sector where the workers are taking action because they are fed up with the conditions they are working under,” Crichlow said: “We are saying that this will create a level of instability in the postal sector, this inability to have a resolution.”
The last time workers received a salary increase was in 2010 and although there was a recommendation by an independent human resources consultant that same year for all workers to be given an 18.5 per cent salary increase, this was never done.
Joining the protesters around 10.40 am acting president of the National Trade Union Centre (Natuc) Watson Duke was accompanied by members of the executive in support of the workers.
Speaking with members of the media, Duke said Natuc was ready to support any affiliate whose workers were being troubled.
“We will not tolerate the exploitation of workers by the CPO,” Duke said.
He urged Lewis to offer to workers the same offer as other unions.
“These workers have waited long and worked hard and their expectations are legitimate, they are ready for what belongs to them,” he added.