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Membership Services
Collective
Bargaining Grievance Handling Social Benefits Administrative
Services Other Services
Structure
of the OWTU
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Membership
Services
Proper Terms and Conditions of
work; Defending workers' Rights:
The OWTU's primary membership services
are those of Collective Bargaining and Grievance Handling, both of which
are the responsibility of the Labour Relations Department. Offices of
this department are located at our Head Office (652-2701-3), our Port of
Spain office (623-3115/6094) and at our Tobago Office (639-5293).
The Collective Bargaining process
involves negotiations between Management and the Union for all of the following:
- Increased Wages/Salaries
- Safe and Healthy Working Conditions
- Improved Terms and Conditions of work
- Medical Benefits and Wellness Programs
- Housing Plans
- Pension Plans
- Allowances - including Cost of Living Allowances
At present we have some 48 Collective Agreements in
force. The duration of each agreement is three years. Each agreement
covers a bargaining unit which is defined by the Registration,
Recognition and Certification Board. At some large companies (e.g.Petrotrin),
we have more than one Collective Agreement.
The end result of the Collective Bargaining Process is
a Collective Agreement. Registered under the Industrial Relations Act,
with the Registrar of the Industrial Court, it has the force of law. If
negotiations between the Union and the Employer break down, the matter
is referred to the Ministry of Labour for conciliation. If there is
still no settlement after the Ministry's conciliation, the outstanding
issues of the negotiations are sent to the Industrial Court for
Compulsory Arbitration.
The Grievance Handling Procedure begins with
- The Worker and his Shop Steward at stage 1 and may proceed to the
stage 2 where the matter is taken up by the Branch
Officer(s).
- If the Grievance is still not resolved then it is
taken to stage 3 for Persual by the Union's Executive or
the Labour Relations Officer (L.R.O.) representing the
Executive.
- If at this stage the Grievance matter cannot be
resolved, then under the provisions of the law (Industrial Relations
Act), it is referred to the Ministry of Labour for conciliation
where
the worker is represented by the Unions Central Executive/Labour Relations
Officer or an Attorney at Law if the complexity of the case so
demands.
- Beyond this point the matter may, if still
unresolved, go to its final
stage for Compulsory Arbitration at the Industrial Court.
- In any one year the Union may be involved in 30 or
more Collective Bargaining exercises as well as pursuing grievances
that affect more than 800 members.
- Considerable effort is made to ensure the best
possible representation of workers - be it by training shop stewards
to properly handle a grievance at stage one or to enable
negotiations to extract the package of improved terms and conditions
of work in Collective Bargaining or utilising skilled
representatives or lawyers in matters before the Industrial Court.
This is why the OWTU is recognised by both worker and employer as
the leading trade union in Trinidad and Tobago!
Social
Benefits
The Union has had a tradition of
providing for its members in times of distress. At present we provide:
- A Death Benefit of $5,000 to the
beneficiary of a member who dies
- A Death Benefit of $2,500 to the
member if his/her named dependent dies.
- The amounts quoted above are
doubled if the death is by accident.
- A Death Benefit also applies to all
Retired Members.
- Retired Membership is available,
upon application, to all members who have retired at he normal
retirement age and who have had 20 years continuous financial
membership in the Union.
- The children of retired members are
eligible for OWTU scholarships, and retired members benefit from
ongoing improvement to their pension, medical and other benefits.
There is a Retired Members Section of the Union, which meets
regularly and makes recommendations to the Central Executive and the
General Council.
Administrative
Services
The Union's Membership records,
Financial and Accounting processes and Social Benefits programmes are
handled by the Union's Administration, based at the Headquarters. Every
member is provided with a Membership Profile on an annual basis to
enable members to be aware of his/her financial status and to ensure
that details re: The Member's dependent, beneficiary etc. are accurate.
The OWTU has one of the most up to
date record systems and a first class system of Accounting and Financial
Controls. In addition to membership dues, our income sources are from
investment income and property rentals.
Other
Services
The OWTU offers many properties for rent. These
properties are located throughout our twin island state and are as
follows:
- Our Paramount Building Conference Facilities, San
Fernando
- Palms Club Building, San Fernando
- Our Branch Halls at - Fyzabad; Marabella; Point
Fortin & Port of Spain
- Cambleton Estate - Tobago (being developed into a
workers Vacation centre and Eco site
- Spanish Farm - Las Lomas II
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