The National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) will not be swayed from its quest to get public sector workers a salary increase.
In a media release thanking members who supported two days of industrial action last week, the union vowed to stay the course despite caution from economists Marla Dukharan and Jeremy Stephen that a salary increase could do more damage to Barbados’ fragile economy and value of the dollar.
The NUPW is asking for a 23 per cent wage increase for Government workers, who have not had an increase in almost ten years, while Government, through the Ministry of the Civil Service, remains stuck at no increase.
The statement said public workers were disregarded and disrespected when the January 15 deadline passed with no response from the Ministry of the Civil Service.
“NUPW has always been open to genuine attempts to resolving this vexing issue of salary negotiations. It is unreasonable to expect that we will continue to accept the excuse of a stagnant economy as the reason why no increase can be offered when the new and increased taxes and levies imposed in the past nine years are strangling the livelihoods of workers.
“The cost of living has increased dramatically while public sector salaries have remained the same as in 2008. Much in the same way that our 23 per cent proposal was not final, we would also expect that Government’s zero per cent was not final,” the release said.
The union also dismissed comments about the leadership’s youth and “supposed political affiliations”, saying such talk reflected ignorance of the history of trade unions.
The NUPW restated its commitment to securing the salary increase, regardless of the party in power or the lack of endorsement from other unions or social commentators. (PR/SAT)
