PSA delivers on promise, hands out 39 homes to members

The Public Services Association (PSA) on Monday delivered on the first of its wage settlement promises by delivering HDC homes to 39 members.

Last month when PSA President Watson Duke signed the Memorandum of Understanding at the Office of the Prime Minister he confirmed that in addition to accepting Government's five per cent wage offer, the PSA would partner with the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) to ensure every public servant owns a home that will eventually be subsidised by the Government.

On Monday the first homes were distributed through various HDC settlements around the country and Mr Duke said he stands by his decision to move beyond non-wage negotiations.

Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal attended the homes distribution ceremony and congratulated the PSA for creating a policy agreement with the HDC that will see continuous benefits for PSA members.

Moonilal confirmed that another distribution will be planned with Duke.

"He has already submitted another list...We have to process it and that will take some time to ensure all is in order with their paperwork, that they are deserving and satisfy the criteria. So I imagine that there will be another round but this is a continuous process. It is not a one-off," the minister said.

Moonilal said other unions will be following the PSA lead. However he did not identify which unions will go along with the plan.

At least one union - the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers' Association (TTUTA) has confirmed that it spoken to the Housing Minister about the possibility of HDC homes for union members. However the union has made it clear that it won't make a deal to replace wages for homes.