The President of the Joint Trade Union Movement Ancel Roget is not pleased that there was no consultation before the National Gas Company took a decision to freeze salaries and benefits of workers. Following a meeting with the Labour Minister yesterday, Mr. Roget said NGC and its board were disrespectful.

The NGC issued a memo to staff on November 16^th telling of the current situation with the company because of falling oil and gas prices. The memo said the freeze will be in effect for the rest of this year and 2016. Fifteen hundred workers are to be affected.

Mr. Roget, who is also the president of the Oilfield Workers Trade Union, sent a warning to the board and the government. After meeting with JTUM, Labour Minister Jennifer Baptiste Primus sought to quell the concerns, apologising on behalf of the NGC and the Minister of Energy.

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley last weekend called on workers to understand the reason for the decision of the board. He said it was the sensible thing to do.

(newscentre5)