TCCU celebrating 30 years of service

The Teachers’ Cooperative Credit Union (TCCU), one of this country’s fastest growing credit unions, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, and members have planned a year-long series of activities under the theme “Thirty years and getting better”.{{more}}

The TCCU was registered in May 1978, and today boasts a membership of 8,205 and assets in excess of $62 million. President of TCCU Curtis King, at a press conference at the credit union’s temporary headquarters on Tuesday, January 22, said that the organization emerged out of the 1975 Teachers’ strike.

“When the teachers took industrial action … the authorities responded with several forms of discrimination against teachers. Some were transferred, some were fired, while others had study leave denied… The teachers found themselves in a serious situation as it relates to their economic situation,” King said.

He explained that the decision to establish a credit union was taken in order to ease the financial burden faced by the teachers, and to ensure that if in future such action was taken again, teachers would not be at such a severe disadvantage.

The highlights of the year’s celebration will be the Recognition and Awards Ceremony planned for May 24 and the opening of the credit union’s new headquarters building in December. The credit union’s flagship project is being constructed on the site of the old Olive’s Hotel in Paul’s Avenue at a cost of EC$3.5 million and, when complete, should offer members ATM, debit card and night deposit services. The credit union’s bookshop will also be located on the ground floor.

Chairman of the 30th Anniversary Committee and 1st Vice President Junior Bacchus said that other activities planned for this year include a boat ride to Bequia, an Ecumenical church service, radio and television programmes, workshops, a J’Ouvert band, gifts for every 30th member doing business at the credit union on the last Friday in every month and a lecture by the President of the Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions, Vincentian Julian Jack, who is also the Manager of the TCCU.

The credit union invites the general public to join with them in their celebration.