President: We won’t be ‘used’ by politicians

OVER the past 40 years the TT Unified Teachers’ Association (TTUTA), has been relentless in the pursuit of improved working conditions for teachers. Ensuring that the rights of teachers are respected while dogmatically pursuing issues afflicting members even when the Ministry of Education and the Teaching Service Commission seem to be recalcitrant in treating with these issues.

This from TTUTA president Lynsley Doodhai as he gave the feature address at the 40th Anniversary Celebrations Retirees’ Function at Centre Point Mall, Chaguanas, on Saturday.

“Over the past 40 years TTUTA has always prided itself on being apolitical.”

The association, he said, does not support or show any affinity to any political party.

“We have taken and continue to take strong positions on educational issues, even if this meant we have had to criticise our former comrades from other trade unions or even those who served at the highest levels in our association.

"Let me say to one and all that TTUTA will not be used by any political party or politician to further their political agenda. When these politicians are in Opposition, they are easily accessible and pretend to be your friend and even speak to officers on a first-name basis. When they are in government, they suddenly become inaccessible and repudiate on positions and principles they formerly held. As we look to the future, we must ensure that TTUTA does not, at any time, go to bed with any politician or political party.”

TTUTA, he said, is now recognised as one of the most powerful and respected unions in the country. To date, membership has grown to more than 11,000 active members and over 3000 retirees.

“The association was born out of struggle, not just to see the existence of one union for all teachers, or for proper representation, but to ensure that the cause of education is promoted through the provision of decent terms and conditions of service for all teachers.”

He said, while TTUTA prided itself on the potency of its industrial relations arm, "Let me remind all that TTUTA views itself, first and foremost, as a professional organisation, where attempts are constantly being made to ensure that our members are given opportunities to enhance their professionalism.

Former leaders of TTUTA have gone on to attain leadership positions nationally, regionally and internationally. Former president is Education Minister Anthony Garcia as well as Clyde Permell and Roustan Job who served as the president of the Caribbean Union of Teachers. Past executive of TTUTA, Devanand Sinanan has served on the Education International Board.

Doodhai said teachers' centres in both islands had been a vision from the inception of TTUTA. Construction of the first phase of the Trinidad Teachers’ Centre commenced in March 2018 at Carlsen Field, Chaguanas, with an expected completion date of January this year. Due to the inclement weather experienced between June to October 2018 and variations in the original scope of works, completion has been pushed back too July.

It is expected that by September 2019, TTUTA’s Head Office will be relocated to Carlsen Field. This would result in the closure of the Caroni District Office and the conversion of the current head office in Curepe to the St George East District Office.

TTUTA has also engaged a consultant to develop a technical proposal for the acquisition of a parcel of land from the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) for the construction of a Tobago teachers’centre.

Doodhai said the association was aware of the prevailing mood that existed among its members over the 2014-2017 salary negotiations. He went on to say that after three and a half years of waiting, teachers were getting impatient.

“In the three and a half years since the submission of our proposals, food prices have gone up, fuel for our motor vehicles has increased on at least three occasions and transportation has become costlier. The cost of living has risen while our standard of living has plummeted.”

Teachers, he said, are currently in a new negotiating period (2017-2020 period) but are working for 2014 salaries in 2019. He called on teachers to get in a state of readiness for when the call was made for militant action. “Make sure you have your marching shoes. If not, buy a pair.”

On the matter of TTUTA’s claim in the High Court against the Attorney General seeking the court’s interpretation of whether the marking of SBAs forms part of the lawful duties of teachers, Doodhai said two hearings were held in March by Justice Vasheist Kokaram. He advised teachers to continue to mark SBAs for this year, pending the decision of the court.

Delving into the history of TTUTA, Doodhai outlined, on March 31, 1979 when 150 teachers gathered at the Mt Hope Junior Secondary School, met and discussed the unsatisfactory state of the teaching profession and a solution was adopted seeking to ensure one autonomous body for teachers and the Committee for the Unification of Teachers (COMFUT) was formed.

On May 5, 1979 teachers adopted a resolution to have COMFUT form a single autonomous professional organisation of teachers. They obtained more than 9,000 signatures of teachers calling for a single union for teachers, and an amendment of the Education Act (Act 1 of 1966) to facilitate teacher representation by a single majority union.

Thousands of teachers marched around the Red House and through the streets demanding that there be one umbrella body for all teachers. It was on April 24, 1980 TTUTA was registered as a Trade Union. In March 1981, the state presented a draft revision of the Education Act 1966, which allowed TTUTA to be recognised as a union for teachers.

Doodhai said many of the people now joining the ranks of the retirees might have played a part in the building of TTUTA during those early and formative years.

“You would have put your heart and soul into the creation of this strong and vibrant union.

You continued that struggle over the years working very often in sub-standard conditions such as hot, cramped, crowded classrooms, dilapidated buildings and for a small salary.

“You discharged your sacred duties very often without basic resources, ever mindful that the future of the nation lay in your hands.”