The Government of Saint Lucia and the Trade Union Federation met on Aug. 20 to sign collective agreements concerning, in part, pay increases for government employees.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Philip Dalsou, acting Chairman for the Government Negotiating Team said that while lengthy, the process was necessary.

“Today marks the culmination and successful conclusion of negotiations with a number of the public sector unions,” Mr. Dalsou said. “It required active listening, patience, understanding and the willingness to compromise. Understanding each other’s perspectives was critical in achieving a win-win outcome in these negotiations.”

The parties, including six public sector unions, signed off on two collective agreements. One, for the triennium April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2019; and the other for the triennium April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2022. The agreements include salary increases—two percent for the 2016/2019 triennium, and four percent for the 2019/2022 triennium—and increases in fringe benefits.

“This is a major achievement as it brings negotiations current,” Mr. Dalsou said. “It is my hope that we can maintain this situation as it enables government to plan better for the future, and allows employees to receive their benefits on a timely basis.”

Julian Monrose, President of the Trade Union Federation, said negotiations were arduous and somewhat satisfactory.

“The reality is that our members have made tremendous sacrifices for the state at times when it has been very difficult. The least they expected is that the employer would have recognized their contributions and would have made the bargaining process a little less difficult. However, the leadership of the various public sector unions represented their members with honor and carried out their role which is to ensure that members get a fair deal.

He continued: “We are leaving these negotiations satisfied to some extent, but we still believe that better could have been done. It would be remiss of me if I did not indicate our displeasure at the hard line taken by the employer not to award the retroactive pay tax-free in an environment where we know that big businesses get all sorts of tax breaks. But we acted in good faith. Our aim was to bring some relief to our members, and while I can’t say we are happy, to some extent we are pleased to sign the collective agreements to bring an end to a chapter of the negotiations.”

Kissinger Smith, Senior Labour Officer in the Department of Labour, said the department is happy that the negotiations have come to an end and parties can now move forward.

“When workers and employers come to an agreement, not only do employers gain satisfaction but the workers are happy as well,” he said.

View the signing ceremony at: 

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