However, he insisted that he "outfoxed" the government. "Yes, there are elements of the five per cent in it, but there's more to it than that," Annisette told the Express newspaper.
He had campaigned against the five per cent increase that he eventually accepted. However the SWWTU president said according to his calculations he secured a double Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) for the workers.
"Yes, the two, one, two still exists," he said, referring to the government's offer of two per cent in the first year, one per cent in the second year and another two per cent in the third year.
"But by including our COLA, the percentage increases to anywhere between nine and 16 per cent for workers," he said.
Annisette said his settlement is not similar to the one signed by the Public Services Association (PSA). Duke has always stated that he got the best deal for his members because the agreement included much more than the five per cent.
The agreement between the SWWTU and the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (PATT) came after another strike at the port on Friday. It includes an interim payment to workers by the middle of this week.
On Friday, Transport Minister Devant Maharaj confirmed that the union's counter offer was verbally accepted and there was a "gentleman's agreement in good faith" with the union.
The other members of the joint trade union movement preferred not to speak on the issue until their standing Tuesday night meeting, the Express reported.
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