The purpose of the first hearing was to allow the parties to decide what periods would be reasonably necessary to present their cases and receive directions from the tribunal. The tribunal consists of the chairman Vernon Ashby, Victoria Harragin and Judy Gulbance. When contacted yesterday for comment, PSA president Watson Duke told the T&T Guardian the PSA would be discussing all the allowances that public servants were entitled to with the CPO. Those include health, travel and other special allowances, he said. Duke added: "We hope to settle these issues with the CPO before the tribunal begins in favour of public servants." A date for the discussions is yet to be announced.