Imbert chides WIGUT, UNC for ‘misinformation’ on UWI negotiations

Finance Minister Colm Imbert has criticised the West Indies Group of University Teachers (WIGUT) and members of the Opposition for disseminating “misinformation” regarding salary negotiations for academic staff at the University of the West Indies (UWI).

In a statement issued yesterday, Imbert clarified that the Government is not the employer of UWI staff and, therefore, does not negotiate their terms of employment.

Last Friday, Imbert made a statement about the wage negotiations to UWI, St Augustine staff members, saying if the Government acceded to their demands, it would cost taxpayers $701 million in backpay.

WIGUT president Dr Indira Rampersad later that day accused Imbert of negotiating in Parliament. She also went on to accuse the minister of playing political football with the matter and urged him to put an end to the plight of staff.

During the Opposition news conference on Sunday, Couva South MP called on Imbert to take the WIGUT wage dispute to the Industrial Court.

But yesterday, the Finance Minister said Government’s only responsibility is to allocate funds, including $79 million in backpay and an additional $12 million annually for recurrent expenses. He added Government also allocates funding to the university that exceeds $500 million annually.

He emphasised that the UWI administration, as the employer, must manage negotiations and resolve disputes internally.

Imbert rebutted claims that the Finance Ministry could intervene or escalate matters to the Industrial Court, citing Section 2(3)(c) of the Industrial Relations Act, which explicitly excludes university teaching staff from being classified as workers eligible for such recourse.

The Finance Minister also expressed disappointment with what he called the Opposition’s lack of understanding, noting that they should be familiar with the legal and procedural frameworks governing these matters.

But in an immediate response, the WIGUT president said the Government could play a major role in ending the dispute.

“It is the government that must release the funds for any increases in salaries for workers at the University of the West Indies … It is true that the University of the West Indies is our employer. I have always said that; that’s no secret. However, the employer has to engage the Government, whether through negotiation, dialogue, or discussion, as the Government controls the funding necessary for salary increases.”

She questioned if not the Government, then who was responsible for moving the stalled negotiations forward, since the UWI principal had no control over finances.

“So the question is, who is she supposed to engage? Who is she supposed to negotiate with? Because we can’t negotiate directly with the Government.”

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