The Oilfields Workers Trade Union (OWTU) has accused the management of Lennox Petroleum Services Ltd (LPSL) of showing disrespect to workers and they demand that they pay the outstanding sums owed to ex workers.
This past week, the ex-workers have been protesting outside the company’s San Fernando compound.
The workers say they are owed US$6.5 million by the company, a claim the company denies.
LPSL is also of the view that the protest action by the workers is illegal and they should cease and desist from the action.
However, the OWTU said it “rejects the allegation by Lennox Petroleum that the protest was illegal and maintains that workers are well within their rights,” the OWTU release stated.
The union said the ex-workers were within their rights to protest based on the Dispute and Right to Property Act Chap 88:03 Sect. 3, 4, 6 and 7 . This Act states, according to the union, “It is lawful for a worker in pursuant of a trade dispute to peacefully picket his/her workplace, or the home, dwelling place or business address of their employer.”
They found that LPSL was being disingenuous to call for a meeting when the date of compliance with the court order has passed. If the company wants to meet with the union, only the courts can facilitate and arrange it, the release said.
The union said: “We are also very concerned by what appears to be growing efforts by those who hold high economic and social influence within our society to ridicule, castigate and demonise members of the working public…”
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