TTUTA to examine WIGUT protest strategies

In light of the Finance Ministry offering a six per cent salary increase to UWI lecturers, TT Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) president Martin Lum Kin said he will look into the strategies used by the West Indies Group of University Teachers (WIGUT) in its negotiations.

Although uncertain whether WIGUT's recent protest actions had a direct impact on the Finance Ministry's decision, he said, "If it is that it caused a change in the position of the minister, then we will ensure that we have within our arsenal things that may be similar to influence the decision of the Cabinet and the Finance Minister.

“However, I must say whatever action we take, we will always keep in mind the best interest of the education system. We are fighting for our members to get what they deserve. That, in the first instance, requires direct negotiations with the CPO (Chief Personnel Officer).

“If we have to influence the powers that be, then we will carefully take into consideration what we need to do in order to have our members get what they deserve...

“We always do what is in the best interest of our members, the education system and by extension TT.”

He said the increase encouraged TUTTA to look forward to better negotiations for the period 2020-2023, which is currently before the CPO.

"Is it that there is an increase in the revenue of the government? Has the economic situation shifted in a positive light? We are hoping that this is a positive sign for our negotiations for our over 14,000 members of the teaching service.”

Lum Kin said it was up to WIGUT to decide if the increase offered to it was acceptable.

“If it is, we congratulate the union on being able to negotiate a better deal for their members.”