G.O.B. meets with the Unions to finalize salary adjustments

Marvin Blades

The Joint Unions Negotiating Team, comprised of the Belize National Teachers Union, the Public Service Union, as well as the Association of Public Service Senior Managers, met with the Ministry of Finance this afternoon to finalize their salary adjustment.  The fine-tuning of monthly wages works out to a six percent increase, retroactive to April of this year.  When combined with the three percent increment for those who qualify, the total package amounts to nine percent.  Following the meeting, we spoke with Marvin Blades, president of the Public Service Union.

Marvin Blades, President, Public Service Union

“We had agreed to work the formula and that’s what the formula gives.  We had agreed that the formula would be worked out and it’s one of the reasons why when at the beginning when it was first uttered that it would have a, as the prime minister would say, nothing less than a five percent, “let’s sign on a five percent”, we said, “let’s see what the formula gives.”  If the formula gives the five percent that’s what we will sign on to or we will agree to but if it gives more than a five percent then that’s it.  Of course it works the same way if it’s something else but we have worked the formula and we have seen the numbers, verified it and it’s giving six percent.  So that is what we, our membership and of course the wider public service will be getting, that six percent.”

Reporter

“And in terms of this now being reflected in their paychecks, can you clarify that for us because initially there was the indication that it would take effect at the start of July, but now I’m hearing…”

Marvin Blades

“Okay, what’s happen is that if you would, based on the government systems, pay scales have to be developed, in fact, we gave them, we worked out a draft already, the financial secretary has looked it over and it would be finalized on Monday and then that would be sent to us to have one last look at it and then from there the pay scales would be going to different departments or ministries.  And when it goes there it takes a little while to tabulate by sections because some departments are very small and some are very huge and so these different finance officers have to go through the upgrade of these different people’s pay scales or their pay and so that takes a little while.  So it has to get in as quick as possible so that that can meet the target of July or ending of July for members to feel that salary adjustment.  As you know, the salary adjustment is July retroactive to April, so whenever is the adjustment it will be, you will feel it from whatever you should have gotten from April, May, June and July.”

The unions met with Financial Secretary Joe Waight at the B.N.T.U. Headquarters in Belize City.