AN “AGREEABLE POSITION” was reached between acting chief executive officer of the Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA) Joe Johnson and the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) at wages talks yesterday.
President of the NUPW Akanni McDowall and union officials met Johnson and his staff in what McDowall described as a cordial and productive meeting.
McDowall, who yesterday declined to give details on what was discussed and what terms were agreed on, said: “We were able to come to an agreeable position. We are very pleased with what was placed on the table.”
The meeting was to discuss the ongoing issue of salary increases for GAIA workers. McDowall said GAIA management had to consult with central Government on the proposed agreement. He was hopeful the negotiations would be completed by late November.
It is understood that the union is now seeking an 18 per cent increase for about 400 airport workers for the 2015/2016 period.
It follows a long-running battle that started last year, with union seeking to get a 3.5 per cent increase that had formed part of a 2011 pay increase.
GAIA management had said the NUPW agreed to forgo that part of the wage settlement following a meeting between the NUPW’s then general secretary Dennis Clarke and Prime Minister Freundel Stuart. (LK)
