Guardian ( Trinidad and Tobago )
29 September 2023 ( Page 8 )
OWTU stalwart dies from COVID-19
By Radhica De Silva
In a blow to the Oilfield Workers’ Trade Union
(OWTU), Shaffick Hyatali, a dedicated and tireless
advocate for workers’ rights, has succumbed to
the COVID-19 virus.
Hyatali devoted his entire life to the cause of
workers, leaving an indelible mark during his
tenure as secretary of the OWTU’s Pointe-aPierre branch from 2000 to 2012.
At his funeral on Monday, OWTU flags flew over
his casket, a symbol of the union’s respect and
gratitude for his lifelong service.
In the eulogy, Hyatali’s only daughter, Fariah,
moved mourners to tears as she recounted her
father’s journey, including his 35 years in the oil
industry, his encyclopedic knowledge of the
refinery’s operations and his ability to explain
intricate details of the various plants.
She said Hyatali started as a labourer at Texaco
and retired as a material analyst in the Materials
Department at Petrotrin.
Reminiscing about his thirst for knowledge,
excitement about embracing new technologies to
manage the company’s inventory, and
commitment to the refinery’s smooth
operations, Fariah said her father was a
meticulous notetaker, preserving every detail of
the OWTU’s history.
“He was well known for making his car trunk the
union’s filing cabinet, his work office. The
branch hall and our home inadvertently became
the archives of the OWTU. He built a room to
store all the minutes, collective agreements,
Industrial Court documents and his notebooks,”
she said.
She recalled how he always wore his blue shirt as
a symbol of his unwavering commitment to
workers’ rights and could assess a person’s
loyalty to the union with a single glance.
She said he was also a dedicated scholar who
pursued studies in Industrial Relations and
Mediation Studies at the University of the West
Indies’ School of Continuing Studies and the
Cipriani Labour College.
“His greatest joy was found in helping others
secure permanent employment and protecting
workers from unjust dismissals through the
collective power of the union,” she said.
Following the closure of Petrotrin, Hyatali found
solace in his faith as a devout Muslim.
“He actively contributed to the growth and
success of the mosque as a committee member,”
she added, noting he also made a significant
contribution on his community.
PICTURE COURTESY OWTU- OWTU’s Shaffick Hyatali