CPO ready to continue talks with PSA, waiting on Duke to return to table

Chief Personnel Officer (CPO) Stephanie Lewis is ready to continue negotiations with the Public Services Association (PSA) for revised terms and conditions of service civil Service workers and those employed in statutory authorities.

In an official statement Tuesday Lewis said she made a revised offer to the PSA during talks Tuesday "in respect of salaries, bearing in mind the current financial realities facing the State, including the estimated budget deficit of $7.7 billion for fiscal 2011.” 

The statement outlined the offer:
 
• consolidation of the Cost of Living Allowance of $125 per month existing at December 31, 2007, with salaries existing at that date
• a lump sum payment of $2,500 for the years 2008 and 2009
• an increase of one per cent in salaries for the year 2010.

PSA President Watson Duke has rejected the offer as "disrespectful" and told PSA members he will "cease all negotiations with the CPO until further notice.”

However the CPO's statement indicated that Lewis is aware of Watson's comments to PSA members but is ready to resume negotiations with the association "as soon as the president so indicates."