On this year’s May Day commemorative march, which started from the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) headquarters in San Fernando’s Circular Road and ended at Harris Promenade, Joint Trade Union Movement (JTUM) president Ancel Roget delivered a series of key updates for Trinidad and Tobago’s labor movement, sharing promising news on the long-shuttered Pointe-a-Pierre refinery and ongoing wage negotiations.
Roget, who also leads the OWTU, told assembled workers that the years-long campaign to restart the 2018-closed refinery is in its final stages, with a reopening now within close reach. Once operational again, he emphasized, the facility will bring critical employment opportunities to more than 4,000 skilled and semi-skilled workers, delivering broad economic benefits to working people across the entire nation.
The labor leader credited progress on the refinery restart to the union movement’s strategic engagement with national governance, pointing to the collaborative work with La Brea MP Clyde Elder, Point Fortin MP Ernesto Kesar, and Labour Minister Leroy Baptiste. Roget stressed that he maintains full confidence in his allies within the current government and parliament, calling on all union members to stand firm in solidarity with representatives pushing for worker interests at the national level.
His comments align with recent remarks from Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal, who told attendees at the United National Congress’ national congress Saturday that multiple entities have formally expressed interest in the refinery restart program, with new inquiries emerging as recently as April 24.
Roget used the May Day platform to push back against former prime minister and former energy minister Stuart Young, accusing him of seeking to undermine the current government’s work. He issued a clear warning: if any actor attempts to derail the government’s work to advance national prosperity and progress, the country’s trade unions are prepared to launch public, on-the-ground campaign actions in response. “Leave the Government alone to conduct the business in the interest of the people of Trinidad and Tobago,” Roget said, pushing back against criticism of the administration’s efforts.
Addressing speculation around the union movement’s strategic approach, Roget responded to critics who had questioned his public silence on key issues in recent months. He explained that the movement often pursues private, behind-the-scenes advocacy to deliver results, noting that a lack of public comment does not equal inaction. “Sometimes not because you’re not hearing us saying something publicly, it does not mean we are not representing privately. We are but we have to be strategic…we are very focused and our eyes remain on the prize,” he explained.
On the topic of wage negotiations, Roget outlined significant progress for public sector workers, noting that a 10% wage adjustment has already been secured for members of the Public Services Association (PSA) and the National Union of Government and Federated Workers (NUGFW), delivered through the persistent advocacy of the union-aligned representatives. For outstanding negotiations with other unions, Roget confirmed that JTUM has scheduled a May 13 meeting with Labour Minister Baptiste, where union representatives will present their proposals and enter formal discussions. While he declined to share a fixed timeline for concluding all remaining talks, Roget gave a firm assurance to workers that every outstanding negotiation will be settled in favor of labor.
This year’s May Day march carried the official theme of “advancing the workers’ agenda,” designed to center the needs of all working people across Trinidad and Tobago regardless of sector or affiliation. Roget emphasized that the most important element of the day is participation to protect worker rights and working conditions, rather than the size of the crowd. Still, turnout for the 2024 march was notably lower than 2023’s event, including a complete absence from the Trinidad and Tobago National Nursing Association (TTNNA). TTNNA’s absence came in protest of the fact that regional health authority workers, who remain on 2013 salary scales, did not receive the 10% wage increase granted to PSA workers, a point confirmed by Stuart.
Roget closed his remarks with a political appeal to members, urging them to retain their religious values and to never support a return of the People’s National Movement (PNM) to government. Representatives from a range of major national employers including T&TEC, PowerGen, NP, The University of the West Indies, the University of Trinidad and Tobago, NTA, YTEPP, TTPWU, TIWU and MTS did participate in the event.