Given recent public pronouncements, the National Workers Union (NWU) wishes to clarify and set the record straight that negotiations between the NWU and the Government Negotiating Team (GNT) for the triennium April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2025, are still ongoing and have not been concluded.
After receipt of the NWU’s Ministry by Ministry proposals, in September of 2023, the GNT commenced negotiations with the NWU in September of 2024. Among the proposals submitted to the GNT, the NWU made a proposal for wage adjustments, position by position to the GNT. At our last meeting on February 4, 2025, the GNT informed us that they were still awaiting feedback from the Ministry of Finance in order to allow them to provide responses or counter proposals to our submissions.
Therefore, the most recent pronouncements made about “back-pay” being made to NWU members is a flagrant attempt to disrespect, undermine, and interfere with the collective bargaining processes that are ongoing and have not concluded. This unprecedented behaviour raises serious concerns for the future of industrial relations in the country and cannot be allowed to germinate.