Prime Minister, the Hon. Philip Davis met with union leaders on National Heroes Day as he said he would during a protest on Bay Street last week.
Before entering the meeting Bahamas Union of Teachers President (BUT), Belinda Wilson spoke with reporters where she outlined some of their outstanding grievances. She said, “there was a salary review that was conducted. Emanating out of the salary review the recommendations are for salaries to be increased. So the Prime Minister said that the increase will be between three and eight percent so we are not certain who’s getting three who’s getting eight. So we need to be clear on the categories of persons, the rationale behind who is getting which amount and when and definitely we want it before Christmas. We actually want it this month.”
The meeting was also attended by Minister of Labour and the Public Service, the Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle; Minister of Education and Technical and Vocational Training, the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin and representatives of the Bahamas Public Services Union (BPSU) led by President Kimsley Ferguson.
After the approximately 45 minute meeting Minister Glover-Rolle told reporters the governments position was conveyed to the unions and they received answers to their questions. She also said the meeting was set to reconvene on Tuesday.
Union leaders left the meeting with a copy of the salary review report that they had previously requested. BPSU President, Kimsley Ferguson said, “today, we’re gonna use this opportunity. Failing tomorrow to have our needs and requests met, we are saying to public servants ready yourselves, because we will pay the House Of Assembly a visit all across The Bahamas until such time as our needs are met.”
The meeting was expected to continue on Tuesday, October 14th. However, the Office of the Prime Minister released a statement on Monday advising that the follow up meeting would not take place.
