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CWU blasts TSTT executives over retreat spending, demands answers from leadership — TSTT denies exorbitant costs

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has sharply criticised the leadership of Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) following controversy surrounding an executive retreat held in Tobago, accusing senior management of poor judgment and calling for greater transparency.

In a series of statements posted on the union’s Facebook page, the Communication Workers Union questioned the justification for the three-day retreat, which the company said was intended to orient a newly appointed board and facilitate discussions on operational matters, negotiations and budget priorities.

The union argued that the explanation raised more concerns than it answered.

According to the CWU, if the event was simply meant to familiarise board members with company operations, executives must explain why the retreat involved what the union described as extravagant spending, including elaborate event production, a high-end venue accessible only by boat, and branded corporate gifts costing tens of thousands of dollars.

The issue gained public attention after reports surfaced that invoices linked to the retreat reached hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Union questions leadership judgment

The CWU said the controversy comes at a particularly sensitive time for workers, as wage negotiations remain unresolved and employees continue to face economic pressure.

The union warned that images of executives participating in luxury hospitality activities while workers await fair treatment send the wrong message to staff and the wider public.

“Workers must never be made to feel that they alone are expected to carry the burden of financial restraint while executive leadership operates under an entirely different set of rules,” the union said.

The organisation is now demanding answers from TSTT’s leadership on several key issues, including who authorised the spending, what procurement procedures were used to select vendors, and what measurable outcomes justified the cost of the retreat.

Questions directed at company leadership

The CWU also challenged the company to explain how such spending aligns with claims of financial constraints raised during negotiations with employees.

The union said transparency is critical, particularly because TSTT operates as a strategic telecommunications provider with significant national importance.

It further suggested that the controversy has damaged the corporate image of the organisation and called on acting chief executive officer Keino Cox and board chairman Kern Dass to address the concerns publicly.

In its statement, the union warned that documents, invoices and other records related to the retreat could reveal further details about the spending.

Calls for Government response

The CWU also appealed to Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath to weigh in on the matter, questioning whether the situation reflects responsible leadership within a state-linked enterprise.

The union said workers and citizens deserve transparency, accountability and fairness from the leadership of an organisation that provides essential telecommunications services to the country.

The controversy surrounding the retreat continues to fuel debate over executive spending and corporate governance within the telecommunications company.

Background to the controversy

The debate over the retreat intensified after a report by the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian claimed invoices linked to the three-day event suggested spending of approximately $436,081.78 for an executive retreat held in Tobago between January 16 and 18.

According to the report, the alleged invoices listed several major expenses, including event production, accommodation, supervision and coordination, and branded tokens for participants.

However, TSTT issued a statement on March 9 rejecting the reported figure, describing it as “grossly inaccurate and misleading.”

The company said an internal review suggested the amounts cited were overstated by roughly 60 per cent and did not reflect the verified cost of the retreat.

TSTT also stated that no payments had been made at the time the media enquiry was submitted and said it had requested copies of the alleged invoices from the newspaper to verify their authenticity.

The telecommunications provider maintained that the Tobago retreat was a working session focused on strategic planning and internal operations, which included executive meetings, leadership discussions and engagement with stakeholders such as representatives of the Tobago House of Assembly.

It also defended the decision to hold the retreat locally, noting that similar executive sessions in the past were conducted overseas in cities such as New York and London.

TSTT said the matter has since been referred to its attorneys for review and possible legal action over what it described as serious inaccuracies in the reporting.