Officials at the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas (BCB) signed a new industrial agreement with the Bahamas Communications & Public Officers Union (BCPOU) on Wednesday.
Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting, the Hon. Myles Laroda was in attendance at a signing ceremony held at BCB head office. He said, “we want to have a deal where both parties feel that they have gotten, not everything they want, but something that they can carry back to their members for their benefit.”
The Minister also commended the efforts of both parties to ensure an agreement was reached. “Negotiations are done that were done between the parties and not in the public and that is a good trend that we would like to keep going.
BCPOU President, Sherry Benjamin signed the agreement on behalf of the union. She expressed that the union understands the current financial climate at the BCB. She also said, “I’m happy that they too understand the financial climate that their staff is also experiencing.”
The new agreement included an approximate 6% increase in salary for staff members as well as increases to maternity leave, increments, subsistence allowances, shift premiums and a salary alignment review.
BCB Executive Chairman, Picewell Forbes emphasized the consideration given to mental health leave in the new deal. “There’s been a lot of talk around the country about mental health especially for men and I’m glad we were able to look at that in a real direct way to have some leave for mental health and mental care in our country.” He also said that employees should see some of the agreed increases by the end of the month.
