About Us The ECA is the largest association of Employers in Trinidad and Tobago, and a dedicated advocate for a stronger, more resilient and informed Employer community. The ECA is committed to representing, with excellence and professionalism, the interests of Employers as they relate to labour and social policy at the national and international levels. The ECA not only possesses a clear understanding of potential issues that are likely to arise from a poorly managed workforce but is also capable of identifying and implementing strategies to mitigate these human capital risks. We understand that proper management of human capital will result in the achievement of both strategic and operational goals of any organisation. This, we believe, will ultimately contribute to the socio-economic success of our nation. Committed to responsible representation, advocacy and social dialogue. As a representative body, the ECA’s Board of Directors comprises professionals from its member organisations. Representation, however, is not confined to a voice on a board, as the ECA adopts a hands-on approach in dealing with its membership. As an advisor and consultant to members, the ECA’s focus is on collaboration with companies through the process of partnering with interest groups concerned - internally, by facilitating the cooperation of employers and employees, and externally, through a tripartite mechanism which includes the main interest groups: employers, labour and government. As a recognised social partner, the Employer community is also represented on a number of State Boards and National Committees. These include: National Tripartite Advisory Council (NTAC) Industrial Relations Advisory Committee (IRAC) National Productivity Council (NPC) Registration, Recognition and Certification Board (RRCB) National HIV/AIDS Advocacy Unit National AIDS Coordinating Council (NACC) Accreditation Council of Trinidad and Tobago (ACTT) National Training Agency (NTA) Minimum Wages Board National Insurance Appeals Tribunal Occupational Safety and Health Authority (OSHA) Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board ILO 144 Tripartite Consultative Committee PAN Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) JOIN US TODAY Guiding Principles The ECA's inspiration and direction is guided by its Vision, Mission, Mandate and Values. These fundamental pillars inform the direction and management of the Association. OUR VISION To be the premier Employer’s Representative for Human Resource, Industrial Relations and a prominent Advocate for best-practice in business in Trinidad and Tobago. OUR MISSION The ECA shall promote the employer’s agenda for the creation of optimum sustainable value for all stakeholders through effective business leadership, advocacy lobbying and the provision of quality Industrial Relations and Training services OUR MANDATE To provide employers with informed, innovative and transformational representation at the organisational, national, and international levels in order to ensure the strength and success of the employer community for the socio-economic well-being of the nation OUR VALUES – Integrity – Respect – Open-Mindedness – Member-Focused – Trustworthy – Collaboration and Teamwork – Equality and Equity – Innovation – Competency and Excellence History The history and evolution of the Employers’ Consultative Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ECA) is consistent with the evolution of industrial relations in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T). In fact, the ECA was propelled into existence in 1960 – five (5) years before establishment of the Industrial Stabilisation Act (ISA) – and following a highly contentious and confrontational five 5-year period of heightened industrial action, comprising of over 230 strikes and an estimated 805,000 man-hours lost. The Beginning On December 17th, 1959, Mr. A. Elder representing Furness Withy and Company Limited, Mr. R.J.W.S. Struthers representing Campbell Booker Trinidad Limited, and Mr. W.B. Pyett, who was given the title of Organising Secretary, met in the Board Room of Stephens & Todd Limited and agreed that an organisation, which would be named the Trinidad and Tobago Employers' Consultative Association, would be given life. On that day, twenty-two (22) members who had put forth their applications were elected into the membership and five (5) of these founding members are still in existence. By February 16th 1960, the organisation had attracted thirty (30) members and it was then that it was formally registered. Mr. R.J.W.S. Struthers was elected the first Chairman and Mr. W.B. Pyett was hired as the first employee of the ECA, as Company Secretary. Between June 1962 and June 1963, five (5) countries joined the International Labour Organization (ILO). One of those new members was Trinidad and Tobago, who had gained its independence just nine (9) months prior, and the employers' member of the first tripartite delegation to the 47th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) came from the ECA. Even at this first ILC, the delegate of the ECA actively participated in the Conference, addressing the Plenary and serving as a member of the Committee that dealt with "Termination of Employment", which was one of the agenda items at this ILC. The Founding Members The following are the founding members of the ECA, five (5) of which are still in existence today: Alcoa Steamship Company Inc. Apex Trinidad Oilfields Limited Campbell Booker Trinidad Limited Caroni Limited Federation Chemicals (Yara Trinidad Limited) Furness Withy and Company Limited The Coconut Growers Association Limited T. Geddes Grant Limited J. Glendenning & Company Limited J.N. Harriman & Company Limited J.T. Johnson Limited Miller Stores Limited Neal & Massy Holdings Limited Shell Trinidad Limited Texaco Trinidad Inc. Trinidad Agencies Limited Trinidad Clay Products Limited Trinidad Concrete Products Limited Trinidad Consolidated Telephones Limited (TSTT) Trinidad Lake Asphalt Limited Trinidad Petroleum Development Company Limited (PETROTRIN) West Indian Oil Industries Limited Past Presidents/Chairmen 1959-1962 R.J.W. Struthers President 1963-1965 C.V. Pereira President 1966-1969 Dennis De Verteuil President 1970-1971 Waldo Nunez President 1972-1973 James Brady President 1974-1975 R. Rostant President 1976 R. RostantN. WyattM. Scott President Management Committee 1977-1978 M. ScottN. WyattJ. Horsham President Management Committee 1979-1980 David McKnight President 1981 John F. HorshamEmil de La GrenadeErnest Murray President Management Committee 1982 Emil de La GrenadeErnest MurrayW.A. Hilton-Clarke President Management Committee 1983 W.A. Hilton-Clarke President 1984 Emil de La Grenade President 1985-1986 W.A. Hilton-Clarke President 1987-1989 Ernest Murray President 1990 Emil de La Grenade President 1991-1992 W.A. Hilton-Clarke President 1993 Joshua Henry President 1994 Peter Salvary President 1995 Seeram Ken Maharaj President 1996-1997 Seeram Ken Maharaj Chairman 1998-2001 Gerard Pinard Chairman 2002-2004 Dane Darbasie Chairman 2005-2006 Clarence Rambharat Chairman 2007-2009 Martin de Gannes Chairman 2009-2010 Ruben Mc Sween CHAIRMAN 2011-2013 Keston Nancoo CHAIRMAN 2014-2017 Suzetta Ali CHAIRMAN 2017-Present Keston Nancoo CHAIRMAN Past Executive Directors/Chief Executive Officers Dates Name Designation Dates Name Designation March 1960 - December 1960 Mr. W.B. Pyett Organising Secretary January 1961 - January 1964 Mr. Robert Douglas Edwards Director/Secretary February 1964 - November 1965 Mr. T.B. Hughes Director December 1964 - December 1966 Mr. G.C. Boxill Assistant Director January 1967 - November 1968 Mr. J.A. Brady Director July 1969 - January 1980 Diana Mahabir-Wyatt Director February 1981 - June 1984 John L. Nunez Director August 1984 - April 1990 Robert M. Robinson Director May 1990 - November 1991 Ruby Thompson-Boddie Director December 1991 - December 1994 Emru D. Millette Director October 1995 - June 2015 Linda M. Besson Executive Director July 2015 - January 2018 Joycelyn Francois Chief Executive Officer February 2018 - January 2022 Stephanie Fingal Chief Executive Officer (Interim) February 2022 - Present Ronald Ramlogan Chief Executive Officer
