After three days of protests, some workers from Lake Asphalt T&T (1978) Ltd returned to their duties yesterday, but hundreds of daily paid casual workers were not allowed on the compound.
This triggered unrest among the staff, who threatened to embark on prolonged strike action if they did not get a 25 per cent general wage increase and consolidated Cost of Living Allowance.
President general of the Contract and General Workers Trade Union Ainsley Matthews said the union was disgusted that the Ministry of Labour was delaying conciliatory talks.
“Usually the Ministry has two weeks by law to set up conciliation and it has been six weeks since we referred this matter to the Ministry,” Matthews said.
He added that casual workers were denied the opportunity of work yesterday, even though they were willing to go back to work.
However, chief executive officer of Lake Asphalt, Leary Hosein denied that workers were locked out.
In an interview, Hosein said, “No one has been locked out. As you are aware the union has indicated they intend to continue the industrial action until a settlement is reached. This has resulted in daily work stoppages by the permanent workers.”
Regarding casual workers, Hosein said, “Casuals are employed on a day-to-day basis. If there is no work being done there is no need for an intake of casual workers. We expect to resume the intake once the situation normalises.”
He also said that no date has yet been fixed for conciliation talks at the Ministry of Labour.
During an interview last week, Hosein said negotiations between the company and the hourly/weekly branch of the union had stalled since the union has rejected all offers made by the company.
“The matter was referred to the Ministry of Labour by the union and it is in their hands. Negotiations are continuing with the other two branches, the junior staff and senior staff respectively. We have also commenced negotiations with the Estate Police Association. Additionally when permanent workers engage in strike action there is no supervision of the casual workers,” Hosein said.
He added that the next meeting with the union was yet to be arranged.