The Public Services Association (PSA) says it has been offered a cumulative increase of just two per cent for eight years from 2014 to 2021 in its ongoing wage negotiations with the Chief Personnel Officer.
Of the eight years, the PSA has been offered zero per cent for six of them.
The PSA said it met with CPO Dr Daryl Dindial yesterday and received his counter-proposal in respect of public officers.
The PSA noted that the counter-proposal sought to cover two periods, from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2018 and from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2021.
The PSA said for the first four years, from 2014 to 2017, they were offered zero per cent.
The union was offered one per cent for the year 2018, followed by zero per cent in 2019 and 2020 and one per cent in 2021.
The PSA said the offer included Cost of Living Allowances of $240 per month effective January 1, 2020 and $255 per month effective January 1, 2021.
“The proposal included meagre adjustments on some allowances with effect from December 1st, 2021, such as Upkeep Allowance moving from $2,400 to $2,550, which represents an increase of $150, and Kilometric Allowance moving from $2.35 to $2.45, representing an increase of ten cents,” the PSA said.
It added, “The current proposal as tabled by the CPO, at first glance, we deem to be altogether unacceptable and represents a total disrespect and disregard for public officers.”
The PSA said it has scheduled an emergency meeting with its General Council and Conference for today to discuss the CPO’s proposal.