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.
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.
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 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
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. Rostant
N. Wyatt
M. Scott
President Management Committee
1977-1978
M. Scott
N. Wyatt
J. Horsham
President Management Committee
1979-1980
David McKnight
President
1981
John F. Horsham
Emil de La Grenade
Ernest Murray
President Management Committee
1982
Emil de La Grenade
Ernest Murray
W.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