–sees 7.5% wages and salaries hike for 2014

AFTER weeks of intense negotiations, an agreement was reached between Sterling Products Limited (SPL), the Clerical and Commercial Workers Union (CCWU) and the Ministry of Labour on June 18 at the Ministry’s office on Brickdam, Georgetown.

The ten-page agreement was examined, then signed in the presence of all the parties concerned.

The Memorandum of Agreement, which is valid for the 2014-2015 period, includes an increase in wages and salaries of 7.5 % for the year 2014 and 7% for the year 2015. The new minimum wage is now $12,518 per week.

In terms of benefits, there were increases in the annual bursary award, meal allowance, travelling allowance and cold room premiums.  Other benefits that were maintained were paid vacation leave, employees’ health insurance, paid sick leave, education assistance, pension plan and life insurance.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ramsay Ali expressed satisfaction at the work of the union and other parties in reaching the agreement. “The employees were well represented and for ten years as CEO of the company we always look for the betterment of Sterling Products Limited and the employees,” he said.

President of CCWU, Sherwood Clarke in his remarks said arriving at the final agreement took a lot of work but now everyone is satisfied at the results. He said the union did fairly well in negotiations and he thanked the management of SPL for being patient. “At the end I’m very pleased and we are looking forward for this kind of relationship in the future,” he said.

Chief Labour Officer, Charles Ogle commended SPL and CCWU for being able to negotiate an agreement without the need for the ministry’s intervention. Ogle lauded SPL for what he described as their consistent efforts to maintain good relations with employees and the union, and the company’s push to ensure working conditions are continually improved.