Scores of workers from the T&T Postal Workers Union (TTPWU) yesterday gathered outside the Chief Personnel Officer’s (CPO) St Vincent Street, Port-of-Spain, offices to protest against stalled wage negotiations.
This was the third protest from the union but by far the largest for this period, TTPWU general secretary Reginald Crichlow said.
“We are here to protest the slow start of our wage negotiation. The past protests had just the executive coming out to protest against the stalled negations.
“However, today disgruntled members have joined with us to show that they want their salary negotiations to begin,” he said, adding protest action may intensify if workers do not get the wage increases they have been asking for.
The TTPWU has proposed a 22 per cent salary increase and job evaluation for the period 2011 to 2013 to the CPO. The last salary increase they received was for the 2008-2010 period.
At the first protest, TTPWU president David Forbes said CPO Stephanie Lewis did not notify TTPost managers how they would proceed with the negotiations. F
Forbes said the TTPWU had submitted its proposal in a timely manner but was still awaiting a response.
Along with a 22 per cent increase in wages, the TTPWU is asking for a job evaluation, which was done in 2010, to be considered for salary adjustment and promotions.
TTPost managing director Reynold Baldeosingh was at yesterday’s meeting with the CPO as the workers protested outside.
Speaking after the meeting, Baldeosingh told T&T Guardian t he was given approval from the CPO to grant the non-cost items the union requested. However, the cost items, such as salary increases, are yet to be approved.