TUC President: Unions Were Not Consulted In The Salary Increase Decision

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – As public servants wait for salary increases, Trade Union Congress President Obie Ferguson says trade unions were not a part of negotiations to determine the increase.

In June, Prime Minister Philip Davis announced that public servants across all levels were slated to get a pay raise – one at the end of June and the second in September.

However, that changed when the government recently announced that civil servants will be paid in the December pay period, retroactive to September 1.

Ferguson says this is unusual:

“Some unilateral decision was made by the Permanent Minister of the Public Service, I assume with the government, which is a complete departure from trade union activists in this commonwealth,” Ferguson said.

The government stated the payment will narrow the gap between non-contractual employees and public servants who have already received increases as a result of trade unions’ negotiations.

Meanwhile, Ferguson maintains increases like this never happen until it’s discussed with trade unions.

“That defeats the whole purpose of trade unions. That goes against everything we call or consider to be a trade union,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson called instances like this frustrating and adding that soon enough Bahamians will come together.

“It’s frustrating. Its provoking, and at one stage the Bahamian worker is going to rise up to the occasion, and I’ll be more than happy to lead it because it is not right,” he said.