Mindful of serving UGSSA and TIGI

Feb 17, 2018 Letters

Dear Editor

Having read Mr. Kissoon’s February 14, 2018 column (Kaieteur News) in which he indicated that he had twice before identified it as an anomaly that the head of TIGI is a lecturer at the University of Guyana who remained silent while the Unions at the University called for more transparency in Governance, I believe that it is best that I respond.
Whereas, I don’t mind the criticism of my person, I feel responsible for how it might reflect on the organisation (TIGI). I thank Mr. Kissoon for the gracefulness of the criticism and in this spirit, I attempt to clarify the issue.
As a lecturer at the University, I am represented by the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA). Over the last year, I have been in email communication with my union on a few matters and have attended union meetings at which information was discussed and decisions were made about how to address various issues.
The UGSSA speaks on my behalf on matters pertaining to conditions at the University and it has been vocal.
Some of my internal communication with the unions has been circulated widely among University colleagues. I have clashed with the unions and sometimes individuals, supported the unions, openly disagreed with the university administration and have also given voice to my support on some matters. None of this matters, however, if one must address issues in the press or on television to have spoken out and if what really matters is TIGI’s view as opposed to mine on matters at UG. I suspect that this is the view that Mr. Kissoon has taken.
What I believe is overlooked or otherwise considered irrelevant in the argument for my going to the public through the press or television is that there is a conflict of interest into which I risked dragging TIGI.
Furthermore, I may possess privileged information and settled perspective shaped by personal grievances during my time at UG. These can lead to inadvertent or deliberate indulgence. In addition, the unions and the administration of UG were for some time locked in negotiations, or dispute as one might prefer, over salaries and penalties for performance anomalies.
My personal stake in the matter was clear and I could not in good conscience invoke the name of TIGI to pressure the University to give ground in my favour, nor did I direct TIGI away from such matters.
I am satisfied that the unions and others have dealt with the matter publicly and I commend them on pushing for improved conditions and systems of administration. I recently indicated to the unions that especially given the conflict of interest position in which I find myself, the unions should, if they so desire, send TIGI a letter based on which organisation can determine what it might do to address matters at the University.
Should the unions follow my suggestion, I will recuse myself from relevant discussions at and actions on the part of TIGI. I am aware that this position does not resonate with everyone, but I must think beyond myself even when I believe that I might be substantively correct.
I cannot neglect my own conflict of interest, when it is convenient or appears that way, and maintain the authority to exhort anyone else to avoid such positions. Let me say however, that all bets are off if I know that corruption is involved.
Transparency is an essential element in the fight against corruption. I support calls for transparency in general and especially in our low trust society that has been deformed by corruption. Consistent with this, I will not arrogate to myself the right to operate outside of the framework that I prescribe for others. It is important that we let the methodology determine the outcome as opposed to inspecting the outcome to determine what methodology to apply.

Yours faithfully
Troy Thomas, Ph.D.
President of TIGI
And Director of Undergraduate Research
University of Guyana

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