News

UNI Global Union stands with the Communication Workers Union (CWU) in condemning the Board of Directors at TTST for approving millions of dollars in bonuses for senior management while workers survive on salaries at 2007 levels.



Workers have been offered a paltry 3% for outstanding collective agreements from 2008-2010. The bonus payments also come at a time when the Board refuses to disclose its financial statements for 2012-2013.



The TSTT Board which is made up of 5 locally appointed directors and 4 Cable & Wireless appointed directors has been dubbed the “Frequent Flyer Board” because of their number of foreign trips.



UNI Global Union General Secretary, Philip Jennings, said, “It’s about time this Board came down to earth and started acting responsibly towards its workforce. TTST and Cable & Wireless should be embarrassed that they are perpetuating the discredited and immoral bonus culture at a time when employees are struggling to make end meet. Cable & Wireless must take its share of responsibility and get its house in order.”



John Julien, Secretary General of CWU said, “CWU calls on the State to declare its position on this obscene bonus culture by Senior Management, which continues to plague the operations at TSTT. It appears that those appointed to serve the interest of the shareholders are also serving their own self interest. Further, was this decision made with the full support of holding company NEL and its shareholders? There are many questions to be answered, but whilst the CWU awaits answers, the loyal, dedicated and hardworking Senior and Junior staff employees of TSTT continue to go beyond the call of duty, whilst still working on 2007 salaries. “

Julien continued, “Union members call on the Government to intervene and protect the interest of the nationals of Trinidad and Tobago and bring some sanity to the operations at TSTT. We also demand that they should ensure that workers are justly compensated with current salaries. Additionally, the absence of leadership at TSTT must be addressed immediately and all the things necessary should be done for the State to acquire total control of TSTT, so that we could see the backs of the Colonial Multinational, Cable and Wireless who has not added any value to the Technological Development of TSTT or the economy of Trinidad and Tobago.”

TSTT is 49% owned by Cable and Wireless and 51% is owned by the State. However, since their purchase of the minority shares Cable and Wireless has had a contract with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to provide management services to the company.