After hours of negotiations, four proposals from the Chief Personnel Officer and three counter-proposals, along with a few tense moments, a settlement has been reached with the Public Services Association (PSA).
Chief Personnel Officer Commander Dr. Daryl Dindial said final papers will be signed on Monday.
He also gave details on the contents of the agreement to be signed on Monday.
“It’s two periods: one period is 2014 to 2016, the other is 2017 to 2019. The distribution of the percentage is 1% in 2014, 1% in 2015, 1% in 2016, 1% in 2017, 1% in 2018, and then 5% in 2019. There is COLA consolidation for both trienniums, so the net effect is about 15% because when you consolidate COLA, the salary increases.”
Dr. Dindial said after Monday’s signing, the agreement will be sent to Cabinet for ratification. An ad hoc Note will then be reviewed in Cabinet on Thursday next week.
The PSA has been adamant since April’s General Election that the government will keep its promise of a 10% wage offer. This was further reinforced by the Minister of Finance in the 2026 Budget statement.
PSA President Felisha Thomas said Thursday was a good day for the union and its members. She said the victory goes way past the initial demand.
“In terms of the COLA, I must make mention because there has been some question where that is concerned. We can today confirm that COLA has been consolidated for both periods—for the period 14 to 16 and for the period 17 to 19—and of course that is a big win for members of the civil service, statutory authorities, and the Tobago House of Assembly.”