Manning accuses trade union leaders of betraying members

Radhica De Silva 

San Fernando East MP Brian Manning has accused trade union leaders of going against their membership and “kissing up” to the Prime Minister while thousands of CEPEP, URP and Forestry workers suffer.

Speaking at the People’s National Movement’s political meeting at the Pleasantville Community Centre on Tuesday night, Manning criticised the unions’ response to the dismissal of CEPEP workers. PNM supporters dressed in red cheered as the Opposition prepared to rebut the achievements listed by the UNC Government in its first 100 days in office.

Predicting a devaluation of the TT dollar and a “self-inflicted” economic crisis, Manning said hard times were ahead.

He told supporters, “Thousands of CEPEP workers [were] out of jobs overnight without a care in the world. There are leaders of the TU movement who saw this, and they had nothing to say. Trade union leaders are supposed to be representatives of the working class. All of a sudden, these union leaders are wearing jackets and ties… they are loyal not to membership but to their UNC masters.”

Manning claimed that trade unions collect “hundreds of thousands in members’ dues” but fail to advocate for workers. He also criticised a comment he said was made by the Prime Minister about the country being a “nation of grass cutters.” Describing it as “disrespectful,” Manning said his grandmother always told him there was nothing wrong with honest work.

He added that CEPEP workers were contributing to their households and educating their families, but were now being forced into dependence on social welfare. “Why not leave people with their jobs so they can provide for their families? They want you to come begging, cap in hand, so they can become your masters,” he said.

Manning questioned why short- and medium-term employment programmes were cancelled, and defended the Revenue Authority, calling it “a modernisation of the tax collection system” intended to improve State revenues.

Meanwhile, Diego Martin West MP Hans Des Vignes said the UNC could not run the country. He criticised the Minister of Finance, Davendranath Tancoo, for not paying workers on time. “Colm Imbert would never do that,” he said to loud cheers. “In 100 days, the UNC has made this country harder. The UNC cannot run this place.”

Des Vignes also claimed there are people working without being paid their full salaries because they are in acting positions. “There are no RHA Boards, the Sports Board, our hockey team didn’t get funding because there is no SporTT Board,” he said.

Also scheduled to speak were former minister Faris Al-Rawi and PNM political leader Penelope Beckles-Robinson.