Trinidad Express reported that demanding outstanding payments, retrenched ArcelorMittal steel workers and their families marched through the streets of Point Lisas. Several workers, who were not scheduled to work, also joined in the march.

Mr Wayne Roberts, acting president of the Steel Workers Union of Trinidad and Tobago, said that the workers were also protesting a breakdown in negotiations between the company and union.

He added that "The workers want to bring this to the public. The retrenched workers were paid their salaries, but not the increases and they want people to know what's happening. The company is blaming the collapse in the economy."

Mr Roberts said that following the stalemate in 2007-10 negotiations, the ministry of labor had intervened. He added that "We are now having bilateral talks with the ministry."

He said that the workers were also demanding an update on the Employee Stock Ownership Plan. He added that "The company has not been able to make good on that promise for over 20 years to develop the program. The ministry of finance has intervened in that and we are awaiting a meeting with the minister."

He also said that disgruntled steel workers were taking their protest to Port of Spain on August 12th 2009. He added that "We are doing everything to highlight these issues, we do not want the workers to end up like employees from other public companies."

(Sourced from www.trinidadexpress.com)