by Donella Hosten
On Friday 17 March 2017, a meeting was held with the parties involved and Government agreed to pay $1000 by 31 March 2017 on the understanding that more will be paid after discussions with the parties in July 2017, providing that the fiscal space allows.
The workers will also receive salary increases of 3% for 2017, 3% for 2018 and 4% for 2019, all cumulative.
It’s been just over 3 months since the Grenada Technical & Allied Workers Union (GTAWU) and the Public Workers Union (PWU) have been in a deadlocked argument with the Government over workers’ salary negotiations and raises. They have finally come to an agreement that suits all parties involved.
From the get-go, Government remained firm with their offer of $1000 for the structural adjustment period of 2013-2016, claiming that they were not in a position to pay anything more at the time. However, the Unions unanimously agreed to reject this offer, and proceeded to propose 4 alternative options to the Government’s negotiations team, which was spearheaded by Hon Oliver Joseph.
During the negotiation periods, workers engaged in a number of activities, including wearing of red arm bands with their t-shirts and a go-slow, all of which have ceased after their agreement with Government.