NASSAU, Bahamas — The government yesterday signed a $40 million industrial agreement with the Bahamas Public Services Union (BPSU) that will pave the way for multiple salary increases at various pay scales. The agreement will result in many public servants receiving four or five incremental payments per year in addition to their usual increments, The Nassau Guardian reported on Tuesday, March 28, in an article written by Jared Higgs.
Among the increases was a raise for police and defense force officers and prison recruits. Their salaries have gone from $18,000 per year to $20,000 per year.
In addition, disturbance allowance has been increased from $1,200 to $1,500, and transport allowance has risen from $250 per month to $300 per month.
Minister of State for the Public Service Pia Glover-Rolle said the final agreement was the product of a protracted negotiation period in which both the government and union leadership worked for the best outcome.
“We took our time to ensure that public servants at every level would benefit from the salary increases,” Glover-Rolle said.
We also ensured that essential allowances were increased and those public servants sacrificing by working late shifts are recognized and compensated for their work.”
Glover-Rolle said the BPSU agreement was the latest of 16 industrial agreements the Davis administration negotiated since coming into office.
“We signed a memorandum of understanding with local unions when we were in opposition that we fully intended to honor,” Glover-Rolle declared.
“From day one, we have committed to improved relationships with local unions, working hand in hand with union leaders to negotiate the best compensation and benefits packages possible for our valued public servants.
“The 16 industrial agreements we have signed since September 2021 are a testament to our dedication to improved labor relations.”
While he expressed gratitude for the agreement, BPSU President Kimsley Ferguson said there are still outstanding issues.
“There were some issues and concerns that we did have where we indicated that there were persons who qualified for hazard allowance based on our standards – security officers as well as persons at the meteorological office. Again, we are still awaiting a response in that regard.
“We know that we … conveyed that to the negotiations team. But at this point, we weren’t able to get a response on that particular issue.
See complete article in The Nassau Guardian at https://thenassauguardian.com/govt-signs-new-contract-with-bpsu/
