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Calmaquip’s cry at the inception that the situation was creating
a cash flow problem that resulted in late salaries fell on deaf
ears.
The matter was therefore taken to arbitration.
However, there had been delays, changes of attorneys and arbitrators
over that 24-month period, resulting in the past couple weeks in
an ultimatum being given to AA, by the newest mediator, to file
its defence by 3 p.m. on March 10.
This turned out to be the day Calmaquip staff was addressed by AA
on government’s move against the American company, for Raoul
Guttirez’s alleged bribe to Steve Ferguson and Ishwar Galbaransingh,
to obtain the airport contract.
“AA was supposed to file a defence as to why it was not paying
the monies owed to Calmaquip,” said the well-placed company
source.
“Apparently, they didn’t have anything prepared so that
(termination) could have been a way of having that done.”
AA seized all security passes, asked the staff to vacate the premises
forthwith and secured the building.
Shocked and humiliated, Calmaquip staff saw not only the threat
to their livelihood but a political link as well.
Some said the company that had been awarded the 10-year contract
by the then United National Congress (UNC) government had been under
threat ever since the People’s National Movement (PNM) took
over the reigns of power in 2001, making claims of corrupt dealings.
“From day one when the PNM came in, they always had questions
on the legality of the contract obtained under the UNC regime.
“They had lawyer after lawyer look at the contract and found
nothing (wrong) in it,” said the well-placed source.
“The contract was not terminated because of anything in the
contract itself but on their bribery claims. They had been trying
to terminate it from the inception, saying they had evidence of
wrongdoing and then the charges were laid against all the people
and companies related to airports construction.
“The president of Calmaquip whom charges were laid against
gave himself up when charges were brought and efforts are being
made to extradite others.
“But he came in, posted his bail and made an agreement so
he could travel freely between US and TnT, whenever the case is
called.
“The case hasn’t been called and no evidence submitted
and he is back and forth.”
The source said there seems to be no intention on the part of AA
to pay up, given a discussion between a leading company official
and senior Airports personnel who broached the question of plans
for staff in the event Calmaquip leaves the country.
“When told that the company was awaiting the outstanding payment,
the Airports personnel said ‘they are not going to get any
money’,” said a source.
“From the looks of it, the arbitration was going in Calmaquip’s
favour.
“They were adamant not to pay, so Plan B was to shut us down
and take it from there -- whether it takes five years to take it
to court, they don’t care.
“The eventual decision to terminate the contract halfway through
has left employees, as they themselves say, in a job but without
work to do.
“From all indications, however, this is not going to last
much longer.
“The company has since paid all 35 employees a fortnightly
salary as usual and has promised to pay up again at the end of March.
“But workers are uncertain as to what happens after that.”
However, AA, reportedly operating under a political directorate
to get the facility back up and running “or else”, drafted
in seven Calmaquip employees key to the operation of security and
other systems at Piarco.
This ended a potential disaster for government but created a huge
one for the remaining employees. |
