Unions Reject G.O.B.’s Compensation Proposals

As you heard earlier in our newscast, the unions have prepared their response to G.O.B.’s proposal.  The document outlines the unions’ position on the good governance and other measures put forth on May twelfth and has harsh words for the Prime Minister.  The three-page document criticizes the P.M.’s decision to end the “consultations” abruptly without addressing the eleven points, which include the audit of the community votes; ministers and C.E.O.s allowances; social partnership committee; removal of ministerial discretion from tax, land and labor issues.  They say government has failed to honor agreements that came out of the consultations on March thirtieth which include a reduced work week for each public officer and teacher; financial literacy initiatives, as well as a review of draft collective bargaining agreement.  On the issue of the proposed “Performance Bonus Option,” they say it provides no opportunity for public officers and teachers to recover any loss of their already earned income.  They say workers should be provided with recovery assurance with all losses being paid back once the country’s financial state improves, instead of limiting the recovery time to three years.  They reject insurance for public officers, saying it was one of the promises made in the manifesto and would have been provided regardless of the salary cut.  They also are not satisfied with the measures outlined for the reduction of salaries for ministers and area reps as they say that the proposed measure doesn’t have a defined time period, which “makes it  unclear whether these reductions will be for three years matching the reductions to the salaries of the Public Officers and teachers.”  They ended their letter to the Prime Minister by saying that they are willing to work to resolve the impasse, but it will only be accomplished minus the “disrespect and arrogance from the government.”