PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Lecturers at the St. Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Monday stayed away from work forcing the cancellation of all classes as they continued their protest action over increased salaries for the period 2008-2011.
President of the West Indies Group of University Teachers (WIGUT) Dr. Godfrey Steele described the activities today “as the Blackout” and warned of further industrial action on Wednesday if no new offer is made to the striking lecturers.
Steele said that the authorities have not shifted from their original offer of one per cent increase annually over the period 2008-2011.
The workers are demanding an increase comparable to what has been given to lecturers at the Mona campus in Jamaica and the Cave Hill campus in Barbados. These workers have received an average 16 per cent increase for the same period.
Steele said that WIGUT met with Vice Chancellor Professor E. Nigel Harris here last week who said that the university was still awaiting word from the State on the issue.
WIGUT members have also been boycotting activities marking the 50th anniversary of the UWI. (CMC)
