Sanitation Service Authority (SSA) management and workers have moved closer to resolving grievances that prompted a work stoppage this week, officials from both sides have confirmed.
During talks on Friday between chairman of the SSA Ramon Alleyne and lead negotiator for the employees, Deputy General Secretary of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) Wayne Walrond, a commitment was given for further discussions.
The talks at the union’s Dalkeith Road, St Michael headquarters came on the heels of a two-day strike by employees who demanded that Minister of the Environment and National Beautification Adrian Forde intervene in their dispute with SSA management over increased pay, and hazard and washing allowances, among other matters.
“It was a useful and productive meeting. I think both sides were able to explain their positions. Significant matters that went to the core concerns of the workers in terms of remuneration [and] allowances, those were the things that were looked at in a serious manner. The parties committed to provide certain information to each other and continue the discussions,” chairman Alleyne told Barbados TODAY at the end of the meeting.
“There were no deadlines, there were no ultimatums. That wasn’t the nature of the discussions. There was a continuation of the discussions that started prior to that incident [work stoppage],” Alleyne explained.
The SSA head said the union is to provide information in support of the demand for increased washing and hazard allowances.
“And if there is any basis for us to make a proposal based on that information, we will,” Alleyne assured.
He explained that while the issue of salaries was raised, that would more appropriately be dealt with in pay negotiations currently underway between the Government and the NUPW.
Walrond, who described Friday’s discussions as cordial, said both sides acknowledged that a problem of miscommunication led to the recent strike, but gave the assurance that the union and Government authorities are looking for the way forward to resolve all outstanding grievances.
“There are some issues that relate to money that we know will have to go through a process up to public service. It’s an issue where you have to make the appropriate representation,” Walrond said in an interview with Barbados TODAY.
Wayne Walrond
The NUPW deputy general secretary said there were some internal matters, such as reappointments, that could be addressed in the short term to come to a relatively quick conclusion.
“We can’t give timelines on everything, but those matters that can be dealt with internally that are not necessarily financial, we are looking to see how we can curb them. But it was a cordial meeting and we will continue the relationship in terms of having that open communication to deal with things relating to sanitation workers,” Walrond stated.
emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb
