PTSC drivers ‘down tools’, commuters left stranded

Hundreds of commuters were left stranded the City Gate transport hub in Port-of-Spain yesterday as PTSC drivers walked off their jobs. Reason given for the industrial action was “the contemptuous and disrespectful behaviour shown by the corporation’s management in not informing them that there was no money to pay them.” There was chaos as scores of drivers gathered around the bays with buses parked haphazardly on the driveways to listen to Transport and Industrial Workers Union (TIWU) representative Marcus Grannum urging them to intensify the struggle until they were paid. As the union leader spoke, the numbers of frustrated and angry commuters swelled as they vainly sought transport home after work and school at the peak hours of 3 pm onwards. 

 

 

 

TIWU president Roland Sutherland said apart from the salaries issue, the drivers were also complaining of defective buses. “Some of the buses are defective and that is why they are parked up.” He said the corporation was in dialogue with union representatives to try and correct the situation up to late last evening and bring relief to the travelling community. Grannum said the workers were also fed up of working for 2007 salaries and many were forced to work overtime to make ends meet. Another concern he said was the slow pace of salary negotiations which also triggered the drivers’ action. A female PTSC employee sai“Treat us good. We have to carry your mothers, fathers, children, all the nurses, doctors and lawyers and workers. Let them think of their lives when they travel on the bus.” But an angry commuter in the Port-of-Spain to Chaguanas line said: “I am a taxpayer and we want the buses out here.” However, another person in the Port-of-Spain to San Fernando queue, said: “Pay the drivers so that we won’t have to suffer.”