Opposition, JTUM join hands
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“WHAT’S wrong with a second time around? A second time might be bet ter.’
Those were the words of Opposi tion Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar as she remained locked in talks with several trade union members representing the Joint Trade Union Move – ment (JTUM) yesterday. Speaking at the meeting, which took place at the Leader of the Op- position’s office in Port of Spain, JTUM president Ancel Roget said Persad-Bissessar had given the assurance that she would render assis- tance to a number of issues troubling the trade union body. “Our members in the trade union movement are being faced with the refusal of the Government to address a number of issues and they range
from outstanding wage and salary negotiations to labour legislation and how they treat with a number of State enterprises’, Roget said.
Roget said that they were discussing a joint approach to tackle the issues.
Persad-Bissessar assured that the Opposition would use the various tools in the Parliament to push the issues of their partners.
‘We are parliamentarians, so we will look to the various mechanisms in the Parliament. We have several tools and vehicles to use in the Par- liament: bringing private bills, private motions, bringing matters on the adjournment, whether it be in the Sen ate,’ she stated.
According to Roget, several institutions have outstanding salary ne- gotiations dating back to 2015-2016. He also noted that he wanted amendments to the Industrial Relations Act.