Rubis Court Case Still on Ice

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Business News

Thursday, 17 January 2013 02:30

By caribarena news

Antigua St. John's - Almost two years after the controversial sale of Chevron Inc to Rubis, its employees have not heard the outcome of an industrial court ruling. Their representative, the Antigua Workers Union (AWU), is demanding that all employees be paid severance and sign new contracts under the new owners.

Rubis acquired the former Chevron operations in April 2011, but before the acquisition could be finalised, Minister of Labour Dr Errol Cort ordered that a large sum be deposited in case the industrial court case brought against the company goes in favour of the employees.

An initial ruling had come out in favour of Rubis, which had pleaded that the company had completely absorbed the operations and everything that came with it, including the employees and their history and benefits.

“Acquiring the company was the only concern for us, because we had already made our intentions clear to absorb all contracts, obligations, and relationships that existed under Chevron,” said Rubis Caribbean Managing Director Mauricio Nicholls.

He told a gathering of media professionals on Tuesday that all workers absorbed from the previous operation remain employed.

“There was no interruption in service or conditions of employment of the workers," Nicholls said. “Some of the controversy at that time was based on uncertainties that the new owners would not have abided by the previous conditions set out for the workers. But not only have we done that, but we have made some enhancements to some of the benefits that were offered."

He said, “In 2011, the ABWU had taken the case to the Industrial Court where it was heard. We prevailed in the first instance by saying that there was no need to pay severance and the court ruled in our favour. An appeal was filed and is still underway."

Whenever the case is heard, the managing director said the oil company is confident it will prevail again, especially with time on its side to prove its true intentions and commitment to the employees.

“I think the employees here in Antigua are not concerned at all… it’s almost two years since, and during that time we have built a very good relationship that is very strong and collaborative between management and employees,” the managing director said.

Sir Keithlyn Smith, the ABWU representative for the Chevron employees, said he could not speak on the matter, except to say that it was on appeal.

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