Joint Unions Continue Talks with Government on Pension, Tax Reform, and Salary Scales

The joint unions met this week with government officials to continue discussions on several matters including pension for public officers, tax reform and salary scales.  According to the President of the Public Service Union (PSU), Dean Flowers, there are many issues still on the table that are now waiting to be fleshed out, and drafted.

Dean Flowers, PSU President: “The big ticket item which is pension reform we had to really revisit the previous commitments that both sides had made on that. We had to look at the terms of reference that would guide the work of the pension reform working committee which I understand or coming out of the meeting we should have the full complement of that committee up and running by next week Tuesday after Cabinet meets as the government is yet to identify their representatives who will sit on that committee. From the union’s end we have made our submissions since July. We also touched on the terms of reference for the revenue enhancement committee and the cost savings committee which are two committees that previously existed under the previous administration but which were done away with. This administration would like to see those committees revitalized or reintroduced and more so we want to keep these committees functioning in the long term rather than for a short term period as was done under the previous administration so we’re hoping that we would see continuous reports on a quarterly basis from the revenue enhancement and cost savings committee.”

Later in tonight’s newscast, we’ll share with you the current status of the pension reform negotiations, and the union’s request to revise salary scales for public officers.