Industrial action on cards, says NUPW

Barbadians need to brace for industrial action from the public sector.

President of the National Union of Public Workers Akanni McDowall made the announcement this evening after meeting with shop stewards at NUPW’s Dalkeith, St Michael headquarters.

He declined to say what form the action would take since the union did not want to give Government a chance to mitigate against the planned effort.

McDowall did not rule out joining forces with another union.

The NUPW has been agitating for a pay increase for members since the last wage increase was in 2008.

Negotiations started in January 2016 with the union demanding  a 23 per cent pay hike. Government has repeatedly said it cannot afford an increase but the union has contended that the state collected more than $300 million between 2014 and 2016.

The NUPW met with the Ministry of the Civil Service in December and asked for a coping mechanism for workers.  The union also put two other options on the table and gave government until today to get back to them. (BN)