OWTU Member Breaks Ranks With Union Leadership: ‘One Kiss From Prime Minister Isn’t Love’
An Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) member publicly challenged his union’s leadership during Friday’s October 30 protest march in Port of Spain, suggesting that its leadership had become too close to the Government.
Speaking to the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian in an interview recorded by Ricardo St Bernard, the member made it clear that although he remained part of the OWTU, he was not standing alongside its leadership.
He expressed dissatisfaction with both the state of Trinidad and Tobago and the direction of his union, suggesting that its hierarchy might be supportive of, or working in partnership with, the Government.
His strongest criticism concerned the relationship between the union’s leadership and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
The member remarked that his leader “got one kiss from the prime minister and apparently took it for love”, making it clear that he did not share the same sentiment.
He insisted that his concern was not about affection for any political leader but about love for Trinidad and Tobago and the welfare of its citizens.
He also declared that one kiss could not help the situation facing the country.
The member, who said he previously served on the union’s executive, acknowledged that publicly challenging the leadership could have consequences.
He indicated that he understood how the organisation operated and expected possible repercussions for speaking openly during the demonstration.
His remarks came despite the OWTU’s official decision not to participate in Friday’s march. President General Ancel Roget had previously announced that the union would focus on preparations for upcoming negotiations instead.
The member’s appearance at the protest therefore highlighted a difference between the official position of the union and the personal position of at least one of its members.
While his comments raised questions about the relationship between union leadership and the Government, they remain his personal allegations and do not establish that any political partnership exists.
The interview offered a public example of disagreement within the labour movement as workers and trade unions gathered to raise concerns about conditions in Trinidad and Tobago.
Source: Trinidad and Tobago Guardian, Ricardo St Bernard interview.
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