Two trade unions here, the Public Service Union (PSU) and the St Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers Union (SVGTU) were scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves on Friday 11th January 2019, following a request by the Prime Minister’s office earlier this week.
The meeting was first mentioned by Prime Minister Gonsalves at a press conference on Friday as he talked about the possibility of salary increases.
The General Secretary of the Teachers Union, Nikeisha Williams, stated that the meeting that was scheduled to take place at 2pm, Friday afternoon did not take place after members of the unions refused to leave their cell phones outside.
At a joint PSU/SVGTU press conference on Tuesday, President of the Teachers Union, Wendy Bynoe, said that after it was disclosed to the public that both unions were planning to stage a picket on January 29th when the 2019 budget is to be presented, and that the said unions were having a joint press conference, the Prime Minister’s office called the unions on Monday and invited them to an urgent meeting on Friday 11th January.
Bynoe said the union requested a formal written invitation from the Prime Minister. She said that the issues identified were pension reform and salary increase.
“Despite the late invitation, our unions will attend,” Bynoe stated.
President of the Public Service Union Elroy Boucher also confirmed that they have received invitation to meet with the Prime Minister on Friday and that they will be attending.