Public Service Union satisfied with goodies

The Public Service Union (PSU) is happy, very satisfied, with the wage increases served up to them by the Government.

“I know persons are happy. Yes, we are very satisfied,” said PSU President Aubrey Burgin, shortly after Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves announced the salary increases that public servants will receive at the end of this year.{{more}}

Dr Gonsalves made the announcements at the military parade held last Saturday, October 27th, to commemorate this country’s 28th anniversary of political independence.

Dr Gonsalves announced that public servants will receive a five percent retroactive salary increase as of January 1st, 2007, at a cost of EC$7.71 million to the treasury. Another five percent will be given as of January 1st, 2008. This second increase is estimated to cost EC$12.34 million.

Additionally, the reclassification exercise will see some salaries increase a further six percent retroactively from January 2007.This will cost the government a further EC$8.73 million.

“The back-pay will be paid at the end of November, 2007; the bonus and the reclassification monies in the December pay packet,” Dr Gonsalves said.

In an interview with SEARCHLIGHT last week, Burgin had indicated that his Union was seeking increases of eight percent, retroactively, and seven percent for 2008, respectively.

“I know that we had indicated figures in respect of a percentage, but we are happy with this outcome,” he told SEARCHLIGHT.

He said that the PSU, along with the Teachers’ Union, held discussions with the Prime Minister and other government officials the Wednesday before Independence.

The announcements made by the Prime Minister, Burgin said, were as a result of the fruitful discussions held.

“My only hope is that persons will spend wisely and don’t over do it,” Burgin said. (KJ)