Former employees of the Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) are set to benefit from an increase in their pension plans.
After years of negotiations, a landmark agreement was signed between TSTT and the Communications Workers’ Union (CWU) on Tuesday.
Acting Chief Executive Officer of TSTT, Keino Cox, said the MoU symbolises TSTT’s continued commitment to recognising the service of its past employees.
“TSTT was shaped by men and women who laid the foundation, laid cables, worked with exchanges, served customers, and gave decades of their lives. Decades of life were given for us to be here today. The provision of this agreement, the one-off increases, uplift to the minimum pension and reimbursement of excess contributions, are tangible demonstrations of respect. This sends a clear message to our pensioners: your service matters, your contribution endures, and your well-being remains our concern.”
General Secretary of the Communications Workers’ Union, Joann Ogeer, paid homage to retirees who were instrumental in shaping the agreement but sadly passed away.
She later went on to describe the landmark as historic, as she acknowledged the efforts of the company’s past and present leadership.
“I wish to extend profound gratitude to the persons who made this day possible, led by Mr. Kent Western, former Chief Executive Officer, and his team, for his candour and support for retirees in bringing this struggle to a success. On behalf of the Executive Board of the Communications Workers’ Union, I extend immense appreciation, and go on record to our Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Keino Cox, also for his candour, also and for his encouragement to foster and continue a symbiotic relationship with the union.”
The CWU and TSTT have been pursuing the single pension plan for the past five years.