The time has long passed for daily-rated members of the National Union of Government and Federated Workers (NUGFW) to receive an increase in their living wages.
This was the declaration of President General of the NUGFW, Christopher Streete, on Monday, ahead of talks with the Chief Personnel Officer in Port of Spain.
He expressed confidence that the discussions with the CPO would have a positive outcome but warned that a 10% increase, if offered, would not be enough for his members.
“When we got our increase, a short drop was $2. I am just putting it in perspective. Now a short drop is $6 and $7. You know, I am just putting it in. I am not talking about the groceries and so on. We want a living wage. We want a decent wage so that our members would be able to survive.”
He noted that with CEPEP and the URP no longer in existence, his members are now at the bottom of the bin for salaries among government daily-rated workers.
Also present for the negotiations was General Secretary of the National Trade Union Centre, Michael Annisette. He said politics does not mix with negotiations.
“From where we sit in NATUC, it’s not about political leverage. It’s about what is fair, what is just, what is reasonable, and what speaks to social justice in order to ensure that the cracks in the social fabric are addressed.”
Following the meeting, Chief Personnel Officer Dr. Daryl Dindial said the discussions held were cordial, but now some hard decisions would have to be made.
The offer made was based on 10% for the periods 2014–2016 and 2017–2019.
Dr. Dindial told members of the media that an offer was made to the NUGFW, and if both parties agree, it will cost the State $2.6 billion in total with a recurrence of $250 million per annum.
The CPO said that in order for the State to meet the payment, the union will have to accept a mix of cash and non-cash.
The union has been given until Wednesday, January 28th, to give a counter-offer or agree.
The CPO noted that if they do agree, no payments will be made until the Mid-Year Budget Review, since the State does not have the funds to pay at this time.