分类： society

In a significant development for public sector employees, Public Services Association (PSA) President Felisha Thomas announced on November 21 that the union has received a formal offer of a ten per cent salary increase from Chief Personnel Officer (CPO) Daryl Dindial. The offer comes after a crucial meeting between the PSA and the CPO, marking a pivotal moment in ongoing negotiations.

Thomas, addressing the media post-meeting, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, ‘Another promise made, another promise delivered.’ This statement reflects the union’s persistent advocacy for better compensation for its members. Earlier, Thomas had voiced skepticism about the meeting’s agenda, particularly after learning that a presentation on the state of the economy would be part of the discussions.

Prior to the meeting, the PSA had formally communicated its position to the CPO’s office, emphasizing that the union was not at the initial stages of negotiations. Instead, the PSA sought a clear mandate from the Minister of Finance to present a ten per cent salary increase offer. Thomas highlighted the union’s commitment to finalizing negotiations swiftly, aiming to ensure that members receive their increased earnings by Christmas.

‘We have in our hand, delivered by the acting CPO, an offer of ten per cent which the PSA will be responding to by this afternoon,’ Thomas confirmed. She reiterated the union’s primary objective: to conclude negotiations promptly and secure financial benefits for its members. This development underscores the PSA’s proactive approach in advocating for public sector workers’ rights and economic well-being.

In a landmark development, Public Utilities Minister Barry Shiva Padarath announced a $131 million settlement to resolve a long-standing Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) issue affecting nearly 3,000 TTEC workers. The announcement was made during the House of Representatives’ 12th sitting on November 21, following the signing of a historic memorandum of agreement between TTEC and the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) on November 13. The first tranche of retroactive payments was deposited into workers’ accounts on November 18, marking a significant step toward justice for employees whose COLA payments had been frozen for nearly a decade. The settlement introduces new COLA rates and outlines a four-stage disbursement plan for retroactive payments, set to be completed by February 2026. Weekly-paid workers will now receive a COLA rate of $5.75 per hour, bringing their total to $15.64 per hour, while monthly-paid workers will see their COLA increase by $1,050, totaling $2,721.36. Minister Padarath emphasized that the settlement provides immediate relief to households struggling with rising living costs and criticized the previous administration for a decade of inaction. The agreement also includes safeguards such as mandatory monthly cash-flow reviews to ensure financial responsibility. Padarath hailed the settlement as a restoration of dignity and fairness, ensuring workers receive their rightful dues in time for Christmas 2025.

The Court of Appeal has affirmed a stay of proceedings in a legal challenge initiated by Eastman Enterprises Ltd, a former contractor of Cepep Company Ltd, regarding the termination of over 300 contracts shortly after the April 28 general election. However, the appellate court overturned the High Court’s directive to refer the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). In a written ruling delivered on November 21, Justices Peter Rajkumar, James Aboud, and Ricky Rahim emphasized that Eastman was obligated to adhere to the contract’s alternative dispute resolution (ADR) procedures before pursuing litigation. The court found that the ADR mechanisms were sufficiently detailed and enforceable, rendering the lawsuit premature. Justice Rajkumar, who authored the decision, noted that while the Arbitration Act allows for court intervention in urgent cases, such relief should be sought within the arbitration framework agreed upon by the parties. He criticized Eastman for bypassing the ADR process entirely, stating that the trial judge’s decision to stay the claim was justified. The court also deemed the referral to the DPP as ‘premature and plainly wrong,’ citing incomplete and untested evidence. Eastman, which supplied 29 laborers to Cepep, argued that the termination caused significant hardship to both the company and its workers. Cepep, however, maintained that the contracts were terminated under a clause permitting such action without cause. The case is one of two legal challenges filed against Cepep’s decision to cancel 336 extended contracts, with the other initiated by PNM MP Stuart Young, SC, seeking judicial review against the Cabinet and Cepep’s leadership.