PSU to meet to discuss proposal to postpone public sector 3% increase

The Public Service Union (PSU) says that it has not accepted a decision made by Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves to postpone payment of the 3 per cent increase due to the public sector since January 1, 2011, until June 2012.{{more}}

The PSU, by way of a press release dated December 16, 2011, stated that a delegation from the Union attended a meeting on December 9, when the latest proposition was put forward.

According to the release, at an earlier meeting with the unions on September 6, the Prime Minister had “promised to pay the increases in December 2012.”

“In 2008 the government legislated a 12 per cent increase for Public Servants with 4 per cent in 2009, 5 per cent in 2010 and 3 per cent in 2011. A provision of 4 per cent was made in the 2011 budget estimates for salary and wage increases to public servants,” the statement noted.

However, the prime minister, in his presentation of the 2012 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure in the House last Tuesday, December 13, indicated that, based on the prevailing fiscal circumstances, no provisions had been made in the 2012 Estimates for any increase in salaries for public servants.

He referred to the December 9 meeting with trade unions saying that there was the general consensus by the unions to defer to 2012 the remaining 3 per cent of the salary increase which was expected to be paid from January 1, 2011.

“By June 2012, we will meet with the Unions again to determine whether the fiscal and economic situation will allow for the payment of this increase,” Gonsalves explained.

He explained that the PSU was the only trade union to indicate that it was going to consult with its membership.

The matter is down for deliberation by the PSU membership at a special meeting scheduled to be held on January 5, 2012 the release from the PSU indicated. (DD)