TTPost gripped by protests

Workers at TTPost offices throughout the country staged a second day of protest action yesterday to highlight their dissatisfaction with the TTPostal Corporation over salary negotiations for the period 2005/2007.

According to the Trinidad and Tobago Postal Workers’ Union (TTPWU) General Secretary Reginald Crichlow, the majority of workers heeded the union’s call and stayed off the job.

“The workers took similar action on Wednesday with almost 70 percent to 80 percent of workers not reporting for duty” said Crichlow.

He added that many post offices including those at Curepe, Laventille, San Juan, Morvant, Arima, Maloney, La Romain and Couva remained with skeletal staff yesterday. Questioned as to the impact of the action, Crichlow said that “if there was a high percentage of officers absent, then there will be a negative impact on the delivery of mail.”

The workers are disgruntled with the salary increases being offered by the Corporation. Crichlow explained that the official negotiating period is 2005/2007.

However, the union was told it only became a recognised bargaining unit in 2006 and therefore could not have negotiated for the entire period.

He added that a six percent increase was then offered for the period 2005/2006 whilst for the 2006/2009 period an increase of three percent was offered for the first year, a four percent increase and $450 for the second year and a four percent increase for the third year.

However, Crichlow said that the workers were not satisfied with the increase offered. “We want salaries that would allow the workers a living wage” said Crichlow.

He said that while the management was procrastinating, the union would be meeting to determine the next course of action. He stated that all workers were expected to report to duty today.

A counter proposal submitted to TTPost by TTPWU was forwarded to the Public Utilities Ministry for referral to the Public Sector Negotiating Committee.