No let up!

THE Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations (CTUSAB) has not abandoned talks for a wage and salary increase.

This confirmation came from President of the CTUSAB, Cedric Murrell, who indicated during the opening of CTUSAB’s new Letting #4 Garrison, St Michael Headquarters, on Wednesday, that the Congress would have thus far had three meetings with the Ministry of Civil Service.

“We are hopeful that there will be another meeting shortly. What we would be expecting is that at that meeting, we can make progress, especially regarding the fact that Government have instituted the National Social Responsibility Levy (NSRL) and we would certainly want to know what impact that has had on government revenue, in order for us to be able to make some representation,” he said.

Murrell noted that the outcome of the talks is yet to be known, given the current economic climate. However, the president said that with the dialogue and consultations between CTUSAB and the Ministry of Civil Service expected to continue, an agreement should be reached wherever possible, taking the best interest of the country into consideration.

Meanwhile, the president, who alluded to the fact that Barbados is preparing for a highly-anticipated upcoming General Election, said the Congress expects and is hoping that it will be vigorously fought based upon strong ideas and policies.

“We as a Congress have already started having meetings with some of the political aspirants and we could not be in such a significant part of the Social Partnership and the country, and not be interested in what that holds, especially because we are at a juncture in our economic and social development that is crucial for the country, particularly for workers,” Murrell said.

Murrell said the opening of the new office is the culmination of a search by the 22-year-old Congress for a permanent home over the years.

He informed attendees that CTUSAB was first housed at Solidarity House, and then it moved to larger surroundings in Beckles Road. The new home was made available to CTUSAB by government, at a minimal rent.

“So for us it is where we find that we should be here for some time. We hope and expect that we will be able to add a conference room at the back which should probably hold about 25 people or so, but we find that this location is certainly ideal for what we have to do,” he said. (AH)