Video: New Deal For BIU & Stevedoring Services
The BIU Port Workers have agreed to a new deal with management, which will see staff receive a 1.7% wage increase in wages for the 2013/2014 previous fiscal year, and a wage freeze for the present 2014/2015 fiscal year.
Polaris Holding Company CEO Warren Jones said, “While some aspects of the new Agreement are confidential to the parties, I can share that staff will receive a 1.7% increase in wages for the 2013/2014 previous fiscal year. This is in line with the Consumer Price Index for that fiscal year.
“Additionally, we have agreed to a wage freeze for the present 2014/2015 fiscal year, and this will be reviewed at the conclusion of the fiscal year.
“This concession allows us to consider wages based on the realities of our financial situation at that time, as opposed to agreeing possible wage increases based on a projection that may bear little resemblance to any actual increase or decrease in cargo volume.
“Secondly, we on the management team expressed our desire to achieve one change in the regular operation of Stevedoring Services that would signal to our external customers that we are in the midst of positive change.
“I am pleased to announce to shipping agents, truckers and importers that effective 1st July, Stevedoring Services will be open through the lunch hour providing Over the Road [OTR] services.
“Presently, and for many years, our hours of operation have been 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. meaning that there was no service through the lunch hour.
“However, from the 1st of July, we will be providing OTR service throughout the day. It is our aim to provide safe, efficient and timely delivery of goods to the store shelves. We look forward to providing a seamless delivery service to the truckers who frequent the Docks on importers’ behalf.
“Before I pass this over to Mr. Furbert, I must thank the members of the PortWorkers Division of the BIU and the members of the Management team for the manner in which these negotiations took place. While I was not party to previous meetings between management and the union, it is my understanding that those meetings were sometimes quite stormy.
“During this negotiation, the Port Workers have taken a risk and are trusting that I will honour the Agreement we have reached. They have provided me with an opportunity to change their view of management.
“We have discussed Management’s expectations of staff and the Union, on their behalf, has discussed staff expectations of Management. As a result, we have found that we have many of the same goals.
“I am looking forward to moving forward in a new and positive relationship with the staff of Stevedoring Services Limited and honouring the trust they have placed in this Management Team,” added Mr. Jones.
Thank God for Unions, or we’ll be back in de dark ages!!!!!!!!!
Agree Completely Biko!!!! They are also responsible for so many of the things that we workers around the world benefit from.. You would think they where the Anti-Christ by reading the comments on this website at times..
I guess some naive people actually think these lovely companies whose main objective is to maximize shareholder wealth took it upon themselves to give their employees paid vacation each year or further still, pay their health insurance.. lol
well done this is what happens when one is prepared to move in a new direction
Finally they saw the light.
It is a start.
Wait we’re talking about the union here. no strikes? Lol