WASA workers took to the streets outside the company’s head office in St Joseph yesterday in a preemptive action, as rumours circulated that some 600 workers were going to be sent home. However, while officials maintain there is no truth to the notion, the Public Service Association (PSA) is calling for a meeting to work on solutions to issues plaguing the company.
On Wednesday night, a message began circulating on social media claiming employees could soon be facing the breadline.
“Word is out now the Minister is meeting with WASA management tomorrow as some 600 letters are to be given out on Friday. It would comprise workers both daily and monthly paid employees with 7-12 years service. They will be given 1-month notice with special focus on contract staff and NSDP daily paid,” it said.
PSA first vice president Felisha Thomas admitted during the protest they had no evidence to suggest the message’s claims were credible. However, she said such a move would not be off-brand for the Government.
“We have no proof that there is any intention to do so, but what we do know is that this Government comes like a thief in the night. So just as they did with TSTT workers, we expect that they will attempt to do the same with WASA workers,” Thomas said.
“WASA workers will not sit back and wait for our jobs to be taken from us by this administration. We will not. We will take action and we will act accordingly.”
Addressing the concerns during yesterday’s post-Cabinet media briefing, Minister of Public Utilities Marvin Gonzales denied the claims being circulated.
“In so far as it relates to the transformation and so-called firing, as Minister of Public Utilities I know nothing about that,” he said.
With the protest coming shortly after services were disrupted by this week’s inclement weather, Gonzales expressed surprise at the workers’ action.
“I thought they would have been outside cleaning the water treatment plants to ensure that people get water. So if they are, in fact, protesting, I want to encourage them and advise them—do not follow the advice of people who are going to mislead them,” he said.
“The people of Trinidad and Tobago, especially the people in North East Trinidad; Matura, Guanapo, Arima, et cetera, they are depending on them to ensure that the water treatment plants are returned to full operation and perhaps that should be their first port of call and their first priority at this point in time.”
While touring a vandalised WASA booster station at Thicke Village, Fyzabad, yesterday, WASA CEO Kelvin Romain also rubbished the notions expressed in the message that prompted the protest.
“As far as I am aware, that is just rumour-mongering,” Romain said.