The National Petroleum Marketing Company Ltd (NP) has denied claims made by the Oilfield Workers Trade Union (OWTU) in a letter to the Minister of Energy and Energy Industries on July 30.
An NP release first addressed the OWTU's allegation that a senior member of staff was rehired after tampering with his or her own performance appraisal. The release said thorough investigations were done both internally and externally, the latter by a reputable independent entity which cleared the manager in question.
"The results of the said external independent investigation determined that there was no culpability or wrongdoing attributable to the said employee. NP confirms that the results of the said external independent investigation were shared with OWTU, after NP received same and prior to the said rehiring."
OWTU's letter to the minister said it had received the investigative report, but did not trust it.
"At this point, the union wishes to state categorically that we are not satisfied that the investigation was thorough and therefore it cannot be relied upon."
On issues the union raised about an alleged increase in NP's contracting out fuel transport, the company said: "NP wishes to assure the public that the company does not compromise on safety and takes the safety of the national public very seriously."
It said all tankers are inspected annually and on an impromptu basis. It said any tankers which are not roadworthy are grounded until repaired.
"NP is of the view that it is not in the national interest to have any group dominating the transport of fuel. From a corporate perspective, NP seeks the best balance between contractor and company resources to ensure optimum delivery to our service stations and other customers, in order to avoid stockouts and ensure fuel delivery at all our service stations."
NP acknowledged the important role played by the union and said it remains open to mutually beneficial's dialogue and amenable to working together in the best interests of the employees, with the ultimate goal of the company achieving its mandate.
OWTU's letter to the minister also highlighted accusations of wastage and underutilisation of existing staff.
It also expressed a lack of confidence in the board and called for Minister of Energy and Energy Industries Stuart Young to intervene by taking "the most appropriate action" in the interest of NP."
It added, "To do otherwise runs the risk of further deterioration of this most tenuous situation."
Newsday sent a copy of the letter to Young via WhatsApp but no comment was forthcoming.
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