CITY Hall has announced salary increases for all of its workers, the cash-strapped municipality said in a statement Monday evening.According to City Hall at a statutory meeting held on February 13, 2017 the Council decided to increase the wages and salaries of all employees. “The City’s Administration and Chairman of the Finance Committee, Oscar Clarke, met with representatives from Guyana Labor Union and Guyana Local Government Officers Union to negotiate for a four-year package. During the negotiation both Unions concurred that it has been two years since workers have not benefited from increase in wages and salaries,” the statement read.

According to City Hall the Guyana Labour Union had proposed that the Council increase wages for 2015 and 2016 to 14% and 13% increase respectively, while the Guyana Local Government officers Union asked for 12% and 14% of the two years under review.

“The unions and administration agreed that workers should receive 5% for 2015, 7% for 2016, 7% for 2017 and 8% for 2018. “This is all the organisation can afford at this time given the current financial position,” said the finance chairman. He noted that Council has not increased rates for 20 years and the proposed 10% increase in rates articulated in the Budget presentation would not come into effect until mid-year.

Clarke said that he understood the plight of City workers and is concerned about the welfare of the employees. He noted that the welfare of employees is the Council’s priority. Clarke said that the industrial climate at the Municipality during the year 2016, can be considered reasonable as both sides sought to exercise responsibility in keeping with their respective mandates.

Clarke said during 2015 and 2016 there were no significant industrial action though there were instances of work stoppage and threats of such action. ”This attests to the unswerving commitment and dedication of employees towards the unresolved issues, including increase in wages and salaries.”

Clarke expressed sincere thanks to all workers for sticking to the task of restoring Georgetown in the face of difficult circumstances and relentless negative criticisms. Clarke noted that the welfare of workers is the Council’s highest priority. But wages negotiations must be done in the context of Council’s financial status.

Meanwhile, Town Clerk, Royston King, called on both unions to support new revenue earning ventures of the Council. King asked President of the Guyana Local Government Union, Carvil Duncan to encourage the private sector to honour its civic obligation to the Council. The private sector has been the largest defaulter in payments of rates to the Council, King said, noting that of the $4B outstanding, the private sector accounts for more than $3billion.