TTUTA tells Ministry, ‘Massa day done’

THE TT Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) yesterday lashed out at the director of the Teacher Performance Professional Development Division Director, whom they claim has been threatening teachers who do not attend workshops during school vacation.

In a release sent to the media yesterday, TTUTA reminded the director that teachers cannot be forced to attend workshops on weekends and during the vacation, and suggested that if the division wants to conduct workshops and make attendance mandatory, they would have to do so during working hours on working days. “Massa days done.” proclaimed the union via a release.

The union said via the release if the division does not wish to conduct the workshop during the teachers’ working hours, they would have to pay the teachers when they attend the workshops outside of their normal working hours.

The union branded the director a “bully” for suggesting that it was mandatory for the teachers to attend the workshops outside of their working schedule, adding that there is a high court ruling which dictates the Ministry of Education cannot force teachers to work during their off time, which includes the weekends and holidays.

“The Association demands that the director stop bullying and threatening teachers immediately and comply with the laws of TT and observe good Industrial Regulations practices,” the union said. “TTUTA is prepared to vigorously defend the rights of all teachers who are victims of bullying and threats.”