Wages talks next month

SALARY NEGOTIATIONS between the Ministry of the Civil Service and the two major trade unions, the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) and the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW), that were on hold since last year are now almost certain to start next month.
And according to NUPW general secretary, Dennis Clarke, it can’t come soon enough.
Clarke said workers’ interests would be paramount, adding that the NUPW would be cautious and reasonable in its demands.
“We are certainly eager to meet. We have had some criticism from some workers, despite the fact that we have been the first union to make a submission on wages and other conditions of service.
“If there is a pay raise, people should benefit from back pay, but these are tough times and we are unsure as to what will materialise, but we are keeping our fingers crossed and as always, the interest of the workers will be premium,”?Clarke said.
Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of the Civil Service, Alyson Forte, told the MIDWEEK?NATION yesterday every effort was being made to quickly convene a meeting that would impact on thousands of public workers ranging from police and teachers to drivers and maids.
“Every two years, the public service and the unions meet to discuss a new salary accord and one was due since April of last year, so obviously the unions will be anxious to meet with us,” Forte said.
The last salary accord ended on March 31, 2010 and the proposed new agreement would cover the period from April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2012.
“The outcome of the talks affects [Cabinet] ministers, judges, teachers, [and so on], because once the negotiations are completed, the necessary adjustments are made across the board,”?Forte said.
Permanent Secretary Carston Simmons is on leave but Forte has promised that the salary negotiations would be given priority when he returns next week. (MK)