by Linda Straker
- Collective bargaining agreement will cover 2023 to 2025
- Tentative date to begin negotiations is 24 November
- Last collective agreement signed in 2019
The Government of Grenada and trade unions representing most public service officers have set a date to begin negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement covering 2023 to 2025.
A joint negotiating team will be for workers represented by the Public Workers Union (PWU) and the Grenada Technical and Allied Workers Union (GTAWU).
Brian Grimes, President of the Public Workers Union, said the tentative date to begin negotiations is 24 November. When asked what period the new agreement would cover, he said, “We normally negotiate in three-year cycles,” he responded.
The last collective agreement covered 2020 to 2022, signed in 2019 with the then Dr Keith Mitchell-led New National Party administration. That collective labour agreement provided salary increases of 4% for 2020, 4% for 2021 and 4% for 2022 or approximately 12.5% for the period.
Grimes was tightlipped about the percentage increase being requested from the NDC Government. “I am not comfortable stating officially without consultation from my team and the official start of the negotiations,” he said.
The start date for negotiation comes approximately 2 weeks before the ruling National Democratic Congress Dickon Mitchell-led administration presents its first budget after winning the 23 June General Election.
Prime Minister Mitchell told a recent town hall meeting about the 6 priority areas for his government until 2027. They are “Health and Wellness,” “Transforming the education sector with particular emphases on youth and sports,” “Agriculture, Food security and the Marine Economy,” “Physical and Digital infrastructure,” “Culture and the Creative Economy,” and “Energy Transition and the Environment.”
