The All-Trinidad General Workers’ Trade Union (AGWTU) yesterday accepted the Government’s four per cent wage offer for the junior monthly paid, hourly, and daily-rated workers of the Sugarcane Feeds Centre.
In a news release yesterday, the Office of the Chief Personnel Officer (CPO) said the wage increase is for the periods January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2016, and January 01, 2017, to December 31, 2019.
The release noted that in the agreement the Sugarcane Feeds Centre workers received a four per cent increase in salaries and wages for over six years. The parties also agreed to a one-time lumpsum payment of $4,000, which is to be tax exempted for junior monthly-paid employees and hourly and daily-rated workers who have retired compulsorily, voluntarily, with permission, or on the grounds of illness during the period January 01, 2014 to December 31, 2015.
Additionally, the CPO office said an increase in cost allowances such as meal allowance for both junior monthly paid and hourly and daily-rated employees as well as travelling allowance and commuted overtime allowance in respect to the junior monthly paid staff.
Last month, AGWTU also signed off on the four per cent offer for employees at the Mora Valley Farm in Rio Claro for the periods 2014 to 2016 and 2017 to 2019.
CPO’s Commander Dr. Daryl Dindial thanked the trade union, led by Nirvan Mahara,j for the continued commitment to addressing the numerous issues confronted by its members.
Dindial once again appealed to those unions who have not accepted the offer, to accept.
The Public Services Association (PSA) has not accepted the four per cent offer and has taken the Government to court.
Some public servants protested in front of the PSA head office last October, calling on the union head Leroy Baptiste to accept the four per cent offer.