Trinidad cement company reaches out to striking workers

TCL now forced to import cement from Barbados and Jamaica to meet contruction demands.

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Friday March 9, 2012 – Possibilities of a resolution to the ongoing impasse between the Trinidad Cement Limited (TCL) and the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) are present.

It is being reported that general manager of the TCL, Satnarine Bachew said some striking workers have responded to the company’s invitation to negotiate individually and return to work.

However, president general of the OWTU has rejected the latest attempt to get the striking workers back on the job after they went on strike on February 27.

The strike resulted in cement shortages across the twin-island state, forcing TCL to import cement from Barbados and Jamaica to supply local demand and ensure that the construction industry continues.

Meanwhile, the TCL management has appealed to the country’s Labour Minister to intervene in the impasse which started after a break down in wage talks.

The union is demanding a 16 per cent wage increase over a three year period for workers, while TCL placed a 6.5 per cent offer on the table which was rejected by the union. Click here to receive free news bulletins via email from Caribbean360. (View sample)