Wage increase will result in more taxes for everyone

1) The OWTU is demanding minimum wage for the inland and offshore workers. Is the public (the shareholders of Petrotrin) aware of the minimum wage of Petrotrin? It is reported to be $66 an hour. That is what a janitor is said to receive.

Petrotrin is a public entity, why has nothing been published of their wage structure? In my opinion, the elevated wage structure (inclusive of COLA, medical, meal allowance etc) of this company is a large contributor to it being a failed entity; consecutive years of billion-dollar losses and our continuing increase in taxes.

2) The president general states that his members have not had an increase in six years whereas other government employees have gotten a wage increase.

I am sure that the OWTU wage structure of Petrotrin still, despite no increase in six years, exceeds that of other government employees and most, if not all, private sector employees.

How is it justifiable/valid to negotiate, far less sanction, a wage increase of a continually failing (productivity and profitability) company?

3) It is we, the tax payers, who bear the brunt of Petrotrin’s losses.

I am also of the opinion, that should this wage structure continue to be or, God forbid, the Government give into the OWTU’s demands and sanction an increase to the already vaulted wage structure, there will be an increase of taxes to cover this expense.

4) It is against the workers rights—among a host of others—to be drug tested.

The production level decreases every year, there has been no disciplinary action or accountability, work ethic is corrosive.

There is hundreds of millions of dollars per year in losses and no restructuring.

Their “strength” in numbers should not be allowed to prevail over wisdom and well-being of country.

Please, let us start putting country first instead of personal greed.

RP