Caption: From left General Secretary of the Joint Trade Union Movement Ozzy Warwick, JTUM President Ancil Roget and National Trade Union Centre General Secretary Michael Annissette gather with 11 other union heads outside of the President’s House on Monday to demand the contractual extension of Industrial Court Chairman Larry Achong be rescinded. AZP News/Alicia Chamely
By Alicia Chamely
THE Joint Trade Movement (JTUM) is demanding that President Christine Kangaloo rescind the extension of the chairman of the Essential Services Division of the Industrial Court (ESD) Lawrence Achong’s appointment.
Gathered outside of the President’s House on Monday, representatives from 11 unions stood in solidarity calling for Achong to be removed from his position immediately citing that Achong’s controversial rulings and stances in the Industrial Court.
On May 10, a release from the Office of the Attorney General and the Ministry of Legal Affairs said a cabinet decision was taken on 8th May to reassess the recommended appointments for positions in the Industrial Court and Tribunal by the previous government. The current appointments, including that of Achong, covered the period May 7, 2025 to June 30, 2025.
To facilitate this period of assessment and to ensure that the courts would remain in operation, Kangaloo granted a short extension to Achong and other sitting members.
President of the Oilfield and General Workers Trade Union (OWTU) Ancil Roget said, “We want to prevail upon the president to not grant any extension to Larry Achong.”
Roget said it was JTUM’s opinion that, “Larry Achong is a relic of the People’s National Movement attack on workers and working people and trade unions in this country.”
He added, “We cannot, dare not, shall not sit idly by and allow that (Achong’s extension) to happen. We are mindful of his vindictiveness. We express our concern that any matter that goes before the court while he sits on the benches of the Industrial Court between now and those six months, justice will not be served to workers in this country.”
While he commended the new Government for assessing the recommendations of the previous government to ensure a transparent and fair process, JTUM believes that Achong must not be included in the extension of appointments.
Roget pointed to a series of Industrial Court matters that Achong ruled over, which JTUM believed was proof of his impartiality and “vindictiveness” towards the unions and those whom they represent. JTUM had previously called for resignation due to rulings against a series of union and labour matters.
He made it clear that no form of strike action would be taken if their call to have Achong’s extension rescinded was ignored, but rather JTUM would look at their legal options.
Roget said, “We are here to prevail upon the president to exercise judgement, good judgement and let good sense prevail in this matter.”
