Sanitation Service Authority (SSA) workers in Barbados are set to receive a significant pay increase following the implementation of an updated performance incentive plan. This development comes after months of unrest and dissatisfaction among employees, who had criticized the previous payment structure as unfair. Richard Greene, General Secretary of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW), confirmed the news, stating that the retroactive payments for the July to September quarter will be disbursed promptly once all necessary assessments are completed. The decision marks a positive shift in labor relations, particularly after garbage collectors staged a wildcat strike in July to protest inadequate payments and poor working conditions. At the time, performance targets were only 34% met, yet management approved discretionary payments, which workers deemed insufficient. The strike led to halted refuse collection services, causing widespread concern across the island. However, Greene revealed that SSA management has now agreed to increase workers’ pay, a move welcomed by the NUPW. He highlighted improvements in performance metrics and a growing awareness among workers about the incentive plan. While specific figures for the pay raise were not disclosed, Greene noted a ‘marked increase’ in payments. The retroactive payments for the July-September quarter are expected soon, with future payments to follow the updated incentive plan. Greene also emphasized the union’s commitment to educating workers about the plan to ensure continued progress. During the July strike, workers reported receiving varying incentive payments, ranging from $100 to $700, which sparked further discontent. SSA spokesman Carl Padmore acknowledged that the strike was a response to dissatisfaction with the performance incentive allowance, which was introduced to motivate workers but fell short of its targets. Despite the 34% performance rate, management approved payments as a goodwill gesture to boost morale and productivity. Workers also raised concerns about personal protective equipment and back pay issues, which remain unresolved.