At a time when low energy prices have forced Government to impose austerity measures, State-owned Petrotrin is bracing for an unexpected shutdown of its operations that could result in further revenue decline for the country.
This after the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU), which represents the oil workers, last night said workers had downed tools at plants across the country and were expected to assemble in protest at the Pointe-a-Pierre roundabout this morning.
Contract employees employed on the Trinmar marine base have also served strike notice over unequal pay from this morning.
In a release, the OWTU said the decision followed a lengthy meeting between the oil workers and the union about the company’s non-response to the security crisis at various plants.
The union highlighted the recent suicide of Curtis Pierre, who breached security and climbed atop a tank filled with oil in Point Fortin and jumped in. It took several days for Petrotrin to drain the tank and recover Pierre’s body.
The union said long before Pierre’s death they had been meeting with management calling for a return of adequate security. The OWTU said the company’s failure to comply left it with no choice but to initiate a shutdown to compel Petrotrin to act responsibly.
In an immediate response last night, Petrotrin communications manager, Gillian Friday, said in light of the low oil price and the need to sustain and increase its current oil production level, the company would do all in its power to manage the situation in order to fulfill its obligations to all stakeholders.