In the lead-up to the 2015 general elections, the then Leader of the Opposition “went to bed” with the Trade Union Movement and they birthed an agreement. Post 2015, the now Prime Minister has crept away from his partners and abandoned the product of that union. Today, he is in …
Read More »Reinventing Petrotrin: Rowley shares government’s plans for state-owned oil company
“I ask you to recall that in January 2017, in an address to the nation, I invited you to turn your attention to the troubling state of affairs at Petrotrin… “It is with mixed feelings, one of sadness and of resolve that I return to this issue today… Inevitably we …
Read More »Come to work! Marlene warns workers to ignore “irrational and irresponsible” union leaders
“The Minister [Marlene Mc Donald] wishes to discourage citizens from taking such irresponsible and injudicious action and in particular to remind Public Service employees that, as a rule, persons employed in the essential services are prohibited from withholding their services whether or not in sympathy with institutions in which they …
Read More »Daly Bread: Petrotrin is epicentre of socio-economic earthquake; T&T won’t escape reverberations
At least 1,700 workers are reportedly about to lose their jobs at Petrotrin without reprieve because the money-losing oil refinery at Pointe a Pierre is being shutdown. These workers recently had the benefit of an interim five per cent pay rise conceded in response to strike notice given in January …
Read More »Rishi Maharaj: More questions than answers; full disclosure required on Petrotrin’s future
As with most of the population, I myself anxiously awaited the official statement from the Board of Petrotrin regarding the future of this historical and economic significant company. To say that I was shocked or taken aback by the announcement of the immediate closure of the Refinery operations and the …
Read More »56 Years, How Yuh Feel? Salaah suggests introspection as we prepare for Independence Day
On Friday August 31st we celebrate our 56th year of Independence. “How allyuh feel?” How allyuh feel we have grown since 1962 Independence and more significantly, the fact that we are getting near to our diamond anniversary—sixty years—a landmark achievement and a symbol of experience and maturity? Are we on the path …
Read More »Dear Editor: Afro-Indian unity? Never happened! Granger, NJAC bungled 1970 March by ignoring “Baba”
“Most of us Indians didn’t like Eric Williams and his PNM and would be glad to see them go. But we had no interest in seeing the Eric Williams black gang replaced by another black gang led by Granger/Daaga and company. “[…] Once Williams had got the news that a …
Read More »Letter to Editor: Demming explains why Petrotrin’s PR thrust has bombed
“If John Public reads your advertisement, they know you’re trying to sell your story and is sceptical about your message. On the other hand when someone reads a third-party article or views coverage on TV, they view it differently and are likely to pay some attention to your message.” In the …
Read More »Butler and Rienzi: Raffique Shah looks at their role in T&T’s Labour movement
Within recent years, annual Labour Day celebrations trigger accusations that the trade unions that mark the occasion with marches and speeches at Fyzabad pay homage only to Tubal Uriah Butler, never Adrian Cola Rienzi. Such sentiments imply that Rienzi, whose original name was Krishna Deonarine, is ignored by labour because …
Read More »Remembering Basil Davis: The 1970 Trinidad and Tobago Revolution’s first martyr
The following Letter to the Editor was submitted by ex-PP Minister and NJAC member Embau Moheni on the death of Basil Davis and the subsequent outpouring of emotion in 1970, which led to one of Trinidad and Tobago’s largest funeral processions: On 26 February 1969, the Chief Servant Makandal Daaga—then Geddes …
Read More »