THE Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers’ Association (TTUTA) says its membership has received the long-awaited backpay.
This was confirmed in a release from the union on Saturday.
TTUTA added that while there was no formal communication on the matter received from the Ministries of Finance and Education, communication from its members confirmed the outstanding arrears of salaries for the period 2020-2023.
The payment was represented on the IHIRIS platform, which TTUTA said is a platform that allows persons of various ministries to view their payslips online before receiving their salary.
The union thanked its membership for months of advocacy, solidarity and collective action in the matter.
“This development is an important outcome/victory and is evident of the persistent advocacy undertaken by TTUTA on behalf of its membership,” the release continued.
The Association reminded its membership that during the Mid Year Budget Review in June 2026, Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo said outstanding payments would be made in fiscal 2027.
“The fact that payments are now being made at the end of this fiscal year (2026) is a direct reflection of the continued advocacy and pressure brought to bear on both the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Education by TTUTA and, most importantly, by the membership,” it added.
“This is your victory,” the Association continued.
It asserted that the outcome demonstrated that when educators stand together, remain resolute and continue to advocate for what is rightfully owed to them, their collective voice cannot be ignored.
TTUTA commended all members and non-members for their patience, engagement and support throughout the process.
“Your solidarity strengthened the Association’s position and reinforced the importance of collective action in the pursuit of justice and fairness for teachers,” it said.
The Association said its advocacy would continue in matters of infrastructure and safety; the renewal of contracts of Business Operations Assistants (BOAs); and the reintroduction of the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
“TTUTA takes note of the needs of its membership to perform their duties and will remain vigilant in ensuring that commitments made to educators are honoured,” it concluded.
Yesterday, president of the National Parent-Teacher Association (NPTA) Walter Stewart said if reports of teachers having started receiving their long-awaited backpay were accurate, the development was welcomed.
“Teachers have waited a long time for these funds that they have earned and are legitimately entitled to receive,” he continued.
He added that the Association recognised the relief brought to the nation’s teachers.
Stewart commended the Government and the Ministry of Education for taking the steps to bring closure to this outstanding matter.
Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo told the media that a statement on this and other matters would be made in Parliament on Wednesday. Efforts to reach Education Minister Dr Michael Dowlath were unsuccessful.
In June, TTUTA at a news conference called on the Government to clarify the whereabouts of $900 million allocated for backpay to teachers in the 2025 national budget. The Association had also rejected Tancoo’s promise that provisions wwould be made in the national budget 2027 to meet obligations arising from ongoing negotiations with unions representing workers, including nurses and teachers. Ashe had accused the Ministry of Finance of “moving the goalpost”.
In April 2025, TTUTA accepted the Chief Personnel Officer Dr Daryl Dindial’s 5% offer for the period 2020 to 2023, with a spread of 1%, 1% and 3%, which represents a closure of the gap by 18.2%, followed by the consolidation of the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) and other improved terms and conditions for members of the Teaching Service.
Teachers were promised their new salaries by the end of January 2026.
However, it was not until March that their 5% salary increase was reflected in their bank accounts, and backpay remained outstanding for months.
Trinidad Express
