By Sue-Ann Wayow
THE Oilfield Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) will be supporting the United National Congress (UNC) for a Pointe-a-Pierre win in the Local Government Election (LGE).
The OWTU said this was being done to ensure that the People’s National Movement (PNM) does not win the seat in an area most sensitive to the OWTU, the home of the Petrotrin refinery.
The OWTU issued a media statement over the weekend saying the PNM was responsible for the closure of Petrotrin and all efforts would be made to ensure that the PNM does not get the opportunity to further rid people of their jobs.
“The OWTU wishes to remind the country that whilst the union attempted to assist putting these comrades along with hundreds more back to work through the acquisition of the refinery, the PNM government has consistently refused to allow the union the opportunity to restart the refinery to create jobs and to alleviate much of the pain and suffering of the comrades and the general public as a result of closure of Petrotrin,” the release stated.
The Movement for Social Justice (MSJ), a party borne out of the trade unions is also contesting the LGE in some electoral districts.
Point Fortin is a main area with three MSJ candidates contesting.
These candidates include General Council member and President of the Trinmar Branch Nigel Whyte for the district of Techier/Guapo, Trinmar officer, Nigel Swan for the district of New Village and Amber Wharton for the district of Hollywood.
The OTWU said, “The union has always stood with the MSJ and its attempt to fundamentally change the politics and the economic relations of power and we will continue to do so.”
There is no MSJ candidate for Pointe-a-Pierre hence the reason the OWTU acknowledged the decision of the Point-a-Pierre branch to support UNC candidates in that area.
The union stated that its position with respect to the 2023 LGE is firstly to fully support the legitimate and just call of the trade union movement for the government to address “the real bread and butter issues facing the citizens.”
These are specifically: increase of minimum wage, reduction in fuel prices, no National Insurance Board penalty for retiring at age 60 and no property tax at this time. These issues were reflected in a letter sent to Minister of Finance Colm Imbert, as well as Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
Lee pleased with OWTU support
UNC Member of Parliament for Pointe-a-Pierre David Lee told AZP News on Monday, he was happy of the move by the OWTU.
“It is a good sign for us as an Opposition party, that they are willing to take the risks in this election,” he said.
He complimented the Pointe-a-Pierre branch for not only supporting but for their bravery and walking in solidarity with candidates not just in Pointe-a-Pierre.
Lee, also a UNC deputy political leader said the OWTU members have also been walking in solidarity with UNC candidate for Couva West/Roystonia Vanessa Kussie who lost her husband Rishi Nagassar in the Paria/LMCS tragedy last year.
He explained that the area of Pointe-a-Pierre falls under two districts within the San Fernando City Corporation, Marabella East and Cocoyea/Tarouba.
Along with Marabella West and Marabella South Vistabella if the UNC could secure wins in those four areas plus maintain the one in Les Efforts West/La Romaine, the UNC could control that Corporation from August 15, Lee said.
He also said that this Thursday, the UNC will be hosting its political meeting at the OWTU, Palms Club venue in San Fernando.
