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alexk
Guest
Staff at the University of T&T (UTT) are bracing for more retrenchment notices to be served today. Dismissal notices are expected to be served by UTT president Sarim Al-Zubaidy at the Agora Campus in Chaguanas in the second phase of a mass retrenchment exercise at the institution.
Officials from the Oilfield Workers Trade Union (OWTU) told the T&T Guardian financial discussions are expected to take place today from 10 am at the campus.
On June 29, Al-Zubaidy confirmed that the secondment contracts of five employees will not be renewed. Four of the affected were told of the decision.
In a letter to staff, Al-Zubaidy reiterated that during UTT’s restructuring exercise, academic staff had been assessed on their teaching load, research and community service.
“These persons have the option to return to their substantive positions from the organisation from which they were seconded ,” he said, insisting that the UTT has not fired any staff.
“There are staff members who have been separated/retrenched by the university, and as such, an employee who is separated or retrenched is not the same as someone who is fired. Separation or retrenchment occurs due to many factors including overstaffing and redundancy.
“Secondment is not unique to UTT and the decision not to renew these contracts have been taken in the overall interest of the university,” he said.