Americas News
Reports: Sacked Employees Were Opposed to Bunkering Privatisation Move
The Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (Petrotrin) says it has fired three employees attached to Petrotrin's Port and Marine Operations over an incident dating back to 2014, but a workers union claims their opposition to the privatisation of bunkering operations is the real reason for their dismissal, local media reports.
The company's action, which also saw it issue suspensions and warnings to 37 others, is said to have arisen out of employees' refusal to berth vessels transporting crude oil originating from offshore Gabon during October to November 2014 at the port at Pointe-a-Pierre.
Petrotrin has stated the employee's actions resulted in substantial losses for the company.
The employees reportedly felt that the crude oil tankers coming from the West African country were unsafe and feared an Ebola virus threat, but Petrotrin maintains that "the vessels were found to be free from infection or contamination and not in contravention of the quarantine act."
Ancel Roget, president general of the Oilfields Workers Trade Union (OWTU) says that the dismissed workers resisted a proposal to privatise the company's bunkering operations, and that is why they were fired.
"We are not foolish to not make the link. It is a diversionary tactic to go through with this major bunkering deal," he said.
Petrotrin says at the time of the incident it engaged in dialogue with employees and protective equipment was also offered to allay any concerns.
"Despite these efforts employees persisted in their refusal to berth the vessels which forced the company to take alternative measures to berth these vessels and ensure the continuity of operations," Petrotrin said.
A six-month investigation was said to have been conducted into the refusal by a total of 66 employees to carry out their duties, which exonerated 26 employees and placed responsibility on the remaining 40 employees.
"After carefully reviewing the facts, the company is now in the process of dispensing appropriate disciplinary sanctions," said Petrotrin.
"Three employees have been terminated. Of the remaining 37, other sanctions will follow in the form of suspensions and warning letters."
Roget has demanded that the three sacked workers be reinstated or "all hell will break loose."
In March, a major new ship repair yard development project was announced for Trinidad and Tobago's Port of Spain.
