TV6, Express workers stage another protest
Friday 24th July, 2009

It's almost become a familiar scene at the front of the CCN office here in Port of Spain.

A ripple of red and voices chanting in unison - led by BIGWU representative - Mario Als.

This time the issue relates to the inserters.

Predominantly female, they're the people who put the flyers into the newspapers and who, Mr Als claims, are being exploited.

Sometime ago, the management of CCN which operates TV6 and the express newspaper agreed to pay inserters back dated benefits starting from January 1st 2007 to 31st December 2008 a retroactive payment, if you like.

It's the implementation date and backpay to workers like this former inserter, let go recently, that's in question.

Mr Als has had a meeting with management at the media house on 14th July.

However he wasn't happy with the terms and conditions they proposed.

During the past 6 months, unionised workers have taken to the pavement.

Just three weeks ago, they protested the retrenchment of 26 TV6 workers.

Mr Als says they have sat down with management since- but talks are ''sterile.''

According to the BIGWU deputy president, today's protest isn't just about the women and their promised back pay.

Its also about new negotiations with TV6, the sending home of 70 workers, and health and safety risks in the workplace.