UWI: Options limited in response to WIGUT protest

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Members of the West Indies Group of University Teachers (WIGUT) - File photo by Grevic Alvarado

The UWI St Augustine Campus executive management team said its options are limited in responding to the protest action taken by members of the West Indies Group of University Teachers (WIGUT), due to both the fact the government pays salaries and the UWI’s acute financial crisis.

In a release on November 21, the first day of a two-day protest action by the union, UWI said it understood and empathised deeply with the frustration of the staff, which stemmed from the decade-long delay in resolving salary negotiations.

“The prolonged hardship and uncertainty are exacerbated by the rising cost of living in the post-covid era, which has intensified financial pressures on all categories of staff.”

The release said management had been following up on outstanding proposals diligently and had been encouraged by positive assurances in the national budget and in meetings.

“However, as the teaching term concludes and examinations begin, the lack of concrete responses, or gains have heightened concerns.

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“The anguish is deepened because both Cave Hill, Barbados and Mona, Jamaica, which began negotiations long after St Augustine, have concluded negotiations satisfactorily and received generous increases. Those countries recognised the valuable contributions that the UWI continues to bring to their countries and region, contributing directly to the GDP. St Augustine staff remains the poorest in the UWIverse. The result is increasing attrition of staff and increased difficulty to attract quality staff.”

The management said it remained steadfast in its commitment to communicate with the government to resolve this impasse.

“No principal or employer can rest easy when protests occur. We worry about our students who are the ones most impacted by such action. It disrupts their academic experience, creating anxiety during a critical time.

“We therefore urge all parties to move this process forward productively and swiftly, ensuring a resolution that benefits not only our staff, but also the students who depend on the stability and excellence of The UWI experience. Our goal is to uphold The UWI 's mission as a transformative force for TT and the wider region.”