TTUTA accepts 4% pay increase offer

The TT Unified Teachers’ Association (TTUTA) has accepted the Chief Personnel Officer’s (CPO) Dr Daryl Dindial’s offer of a four per cent increase over six years on Wednesday.

TTUTA is among the unions that Finance Minister Colm Imbert had been negotiating with.

So far, the TT Fire Service Association and Public Services Association have not accepted the offer.

But the Prisons Officers Association and police have accepted.

In a phone interview with Newsday on Wednesday, president of TTUTA Martin Lum Kin said the union accepted after the last counter-proposal meeting on Monday with the CPO.

He said, “TTUTA was always prepared to present its case to the special tribunal of the Industrial Court when (court member) Larry Achong made the submission to our lawyers...that he will be giving a judgement binding for a minimum of five years for each period, which works out to ten years for the two periods.”

A release from TTUTA on Wednesday said it was crucial to accept the four per cent offer to avoid a minimum ten-year – 2014-2024 – judgement imposed on the association, the loss of the ability to negotiate for 2020-2023 and 2023-2026, and the risk of losing or having a reduced offer.

The risk of continuing at the court is that the matter can spread over ten years or more. TTUTA said in its release there is no appeal from a ruling of the special tribunal, so the ruling would be final. A party’s only recourse would be to go to the High Court for judicial review.

Lum Kin added, “TTUTA takes the opportunity at all points to remind its members and public that we do not negotiate meetings using straight percentage increases...We utilise the external labour market survey.”

He explained under this survey, thie increase is calculated as nine per cent closure of the gap while the government calculates it as a four per cent wage increase.

Asked about feedback from members, he said there had been mixed reviews.

“There are some who are not satisfied or understanding of the present situation.”

Some teachers spoke to Newsday on Wednesday afternoon and wished to remain anonymous.

Asked if they thought it was a fair increase, one teacher of nine years said, “No, it’s not fair. The teachers are doing a lot more than what the public sees, and the public doesn’t seem to notice or care.

"When students don't have stationery or books, we buy whatever they need, because some parents just can't afford it. Sometimes it’s one teacher, sometimes it is a group, but we do a lot, and it comes out of our pockets.”

The teacher added, “I didn't have a figure in mind, but definitely not four per cent. It’s about $400 for the month, and we are not even sure when we are getting back pay. We also get no allowances, only salary and COLA (cost of living allowance).”

Another teacher spoke of feeling the need to migrate.

“Our living expenses are too much. What have we studied for?”

A release from the CPO on Wednesday evening said adjustments had been made to travelling allowances, COLA and a grant of a one-time lump-sum of $4,000 to members of the teaching services – retired compulsorily, voluntarily and with the permission on the ground of ill health for October 1, 2014-September 30, 2016.

The CPO added that a letter of understanding was also given to TTUTA which contained a commitment by the Dersonnel Department to continue deliberations post-negotiations. That includes the School-Based Assessments (SBA), Caribbean Vocational Qualifications (CVQs) and a technology allowance for buying teaching resources, in light of the proposed introduction of the dual/hybrid education system.

It added that an agreed-on job evaluation will be done and is expected to begin in the fiscal year 2024/2025.

In the release, Dindial added that he is aware of the many outstanding administrative issues such as increments and classifications of extended sick leave, along with other matters. He said TTUTA and the CPO were working with other stakeholders to address those concerns.

He also appealed to other associations to accept the offer.