Wage talks between Carib Cement and union hit hurdle

 

Wage talks between the management of Caribbean Cement Company and the Union of Clerical Administrative and Supervisory Employees (UCASE), representing the workers, broke down on Wednesday. 

 

It was expected that the parties would have signed off on a wage agreement at Wednesday's meeting at the Ministry of Labour. But according to UCASE, the talks have hit a snag. 

 

UCASE President Vincent Morrison says the parties are close to a deal but the company has refused to budge from its current offer.

 

"The parties have been negotiating for a new collective labour agreement. However at today's meeting, the company offer of 6% in the first year, 8% in the second and 7.5% in the third was not accepted in totality, in that the union position is 6% in the first, agreed; 8% in the second year, agreed; 8% in the third year. The company offer was 7.5%, so there's a difference of 0.5?tween the parties," he outlined. 

 

Mr. Morrison said production workers are restive, but lamented that the company is pushing for the matter to be heard at the Industrial Disputes Tribunal, which means it could take another 18 months to be settled. 

 

"The workers have been waiting since July last year, and the union is adamant that the parties, being so close to a settlement, that the matter should not be sent to the Industrial Disputes Tribunal," he stressed. 

 

The union has given the company until midday Thursday to return to the negotiating table.