Government Senator James Lambert is not ashamed of trying to use his office to positively influence trade-union negotiations. Lambert revealed this yesterday at a news conference at the National Union of Government and Federated Workers (NUGFW) at the union's headquarters, Henry Street, Port-of-Spain. He proudly declared that he was a member of the United National Congress (UNC) and thanked the Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for giving him the opportunity to hold office as senator. "I am always of the view it is better inside than to be outside, because when you not inside and the rain fall, you would get wet, but if you inside you will shelter," he said. He added that this mentality had helped him to seek the best interest of the workers he represents. "Hence the reason I have been able, during the retreat, to meet with several of the ministers and I am aware several of the ministers are trying to ensure that they could speak to the CPO," he said.
He said the position he was given is for the working class of this country. Lambert said it was because of his direct approach that he was able to get a settlement for the daily-paid workers of the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA). He explained that the workers did not receive a five per cent increase but were given a monetary settlement with which they would be able to live comfortably. "I spoke to the Minister of Finance and he in fact asked and requested of me to come with a formula outside of the five per cent, which we did," he said. Lambert also denied rumours that president of the National Trade Union Centre Michael Annisette was in favour of privatising government agencies saying another trade union was trying to blow the issue out of proportion. He said all Annisette wanted was for trade unions to be privy to any information on privatisation in state agencies so that there could be proper negotiations on behalf of the workers of T&T. "We are of the view that it is more political than it is industrial," he said.
