TTUTA protest outside office of CPO

A small group of persons representing the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association’s (TTUTA) Conference of Delegates and General Council yesterday picketed the  Chief Personal Officer’s (CPO) office as negotiations began. Questioning whether the CPO could afford not to agree to the requested salary increases for teachers for the period 2002 - 2005, the peaceful protest began at 9.30 am, and was led by members of the central executive, who marched along the pavement on upper St Vincent Street, singing the union song. Bearing placards with slogans such as “Teacher depravation continues,” and “Teachers are the backbone of the education system,” the group was led by TTUTA’s third vice-president, Roustan Job.

Speaking with Newsday before the commencement of negotiations, TTUTA’s second vice-president and chief negotiator, Orville Carrington, said the negotiating committee was comprised of national officers and members of the Industrial Relations Committee. Job said TTUTA was interested in closing the financial gap which existed between people employed in the external market with the same qualifications as teachers. A market survey conducted by TTUTA on professionals with similar qualifications in different career fields, and which was agreed to by the CPO, was used in the process of calculating the increases that TTUTA is asking for. “The challenge now is how you are going to close the gap between our existing salaries and what exists in the external market,” Job claimed.

Stating that Government had the revenue to sustain the requested increases, Job said, “From all indications, the economy is moving and prospects look good and Government revenue continues to improve.” Adding that an investment in education would result in a “well trained human resource,” Job said teachers were the driving force behind the fulfillment of Vision 2020. He argued that something needs to be done to attract persons to the profession, as well as retain the services of those already in the system.

Yesterday’s protest did not include teachers. Speaking with Newsday around 12.50 pm, TTUTA president Trevor Oliver said no “significant movements” had arisen out of the negotiations, and that the negotiating team would be meeting to decide their next move. Asked if protest action could escalate as a result, Oliver did not rule out this option, as he said “teachers are determined.” He also called on persons to continue wearing red ribbons this week until notified otherwise.