Unions, Government Trade Blame in Heated Standoff

What started as a series of talks between the unions, and the government has now turned into a war of words, with both sides pointing fingers. Earlier this month, former Education Minister Francis Fonseca took a swipe at the unions, saying their ongoing protests could cost them credibility, even among their own supporters. But the unions aren’t backing down. They say the government’s latest letter wasn’t exactly written in the spirit of compromise. So, where do things stand now? We spoke with government negotiator Senator Christopher Coye to get his perspective.

 

Christopher Coye, Government Negotiator

“I’m not sure about the tone. What I would say is we’ve had one meeting between the cabinet subcommittee for union consultation and the joint unions negotiating team. And that meeting was very cordial. We had high expectations coming out of that meeting. It is unfortunate that that meeting did not yield an agreement, but there was every effort made in that meeting to reach something that was reasonable, satisfactory, and affordable.”

 

Reporter

“What about the argument that they’ve made though that pension discussion started way before the request of a salary increase. So the fact that it’s being tied now to the salary increased the made contingent to that. They were opposed to that.”

 

Christopher Coye

“I’m not sure about the logic on that one because if that’s the case, then maybe the pension should have been introduced first.”

 

Reporter

“You guys were talking pension reform from years ago, that salary increase request happened after the CEOs got their increase.”

 

Christopher Coye

“Right. That’s why there is an interest in getting the pension reform done.”

 

Reporter

“Yeah, but you are making a contingent talk in your letter.”

 

Christopher Coye

“No, I think what the letter speaks to is a process similar, like what is proposed on the salary increase. What is, I think needs to be clarified is that the government agreed to the entirety of the salary increase the full eight and a half percent. The government fully agree to eight and a  half percent salary increase, just that it’d be introduced in a phased manner, in a way that the government or the fiscal finances afford.”