A Special Tribunal of the Industrial Court on Thursday instructed the Public Service Association (PSA) and government's Chief Personnel Officer (CPO) Stephanie Lewis to meet and discuss cost items of the collective agreement for the period 2008 to 2010.
Last Friday, Finance Minster Winston Dookeran referred the public sector wage dispute to the tribunal after the CPO reported her inability to conclude an agreement with the PSA.
At the time the government's best offer was five per cent to settle the age issue; the PSA was demanding 34 per cent but indicated that it would accept 16 per cent for an immediate settlement.
The discussions between the two sides will focus on allowances. PSA President Watson Duke told reporters, “We must go back and look at all of these items that we are still in discussion of and I believe that is a window for the CPO and the PSA to save face.”
He added, “We would also look at the salaries again, five percent is not enough, I believe more can be done, I am willing to listen again and see what we can do so as to improve the offer and the living conditions of public servants,” he added.
The Tribunal gave the PSA and the CPO until May 23 to conclude their discussions and return to the Industrial Court.
Last Friday, Finance Minster Winston Dookeran referred the public sector wage dispute to the tribunal after the CPO reported her inability to conclude an agreement with the PSA.
At the time the government's best offer was five per cent to settle the age issue; the PSA was demanding 34 per cent but indicated that it would accept 16 per cent for an immediate settlement.
The discussions between the two sides will focus on allowances. PSA President Watson Duke told reporters, “We must go back and look at all of these items that we are still in discussion of and I believe that is a window for the CPO and the PSA to save face.”
He added, “We would also look at the salaries again, five percent is not enough, I believe more can be done, I am willing to listen again and see what we can do so as to improve the offer and the living conditions of public servants,” he added.
The Tribunal gave the PSA and the CPO until May 23 to conclude their discussions and return to the Industrial Court.
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