MAKE REPORT ON CARONI'S FUTURE PUBLIC SAYS UNION

Press Release : January 15th 2003

The General Council of the All Trinidad Sugar and General Workers Trade Union has unanimously rejected Cabinet's summary decision on the restructuring of Caroni (1975) Ltd. At its monthly meeting dated January 8th 2003, the respective Branch Executives, Committees and Local Union Representatives (LURs) rejected Cabinet's proposed timeline and action plan for the implementation of the decisions with respect to the restructuring of Caroni (1975) Ltd. The motion was moved by Ramsook Singh President of the Williamsville Section and seconded by Ruben Narine of the Edinburgh Section. It was adopted by all present.

The motion also called on the Government to immediately settle the outstanding negotiations for a new Collective Agreement for the period 2002 to 2004. The motion called for the immediate continuation and completion of the negotiations for the said period before any restructuring is undertaken. The motion further called for the proposed restructuring plan to be made public and subject to island wide consultation before implementation.

The motion read as follows:

Whereas the All Trinidad Sugar and General Workers Trade Union is recognized as the sole and exclusive bargaining agent for the hourly, daily, piece and task rated employees at Caroni(1975) Ltd. as stated in Article Five of its Registered Memorandum of Agreement

And Whereas the Government of Trinidad and Tobago had established a Committee to advance a Report on the Restructuring of Caroni (1975) Ltd.

And Whereas the Cabinet has adopted the Report of the said Committee

And Whereas the Cabinet has further proposed a timeline and action plan for the implementation of the decisions with respect to the restructuring of Caroni (1975) Ltd.

Be it Resolved that the General Council reject the Summary of the Cabinet decisions and the proposed implementation time line in its totality

Be it Further Resolved that the Government be called upon to immediately settle the outstanding negotiations for a new Collective Agreement for the period 2002 to 2004 before the implementation of any restructuring proposal

And be it Further Resolved that the proposed restructuring plan be made public and subject to island wide consultation before implementation.

The General Council resolved to "take the battle one step up from the Central Executive" and to do all within the limits of the law to avoid the execution of any reformation of the sugar industry, without participation and consultation of sugar workers and their representative Unions.