Government, TUF agree to defer salary increases due to COVID-19

The membership of the Saint Lucia Trade Union Federation, TUF, has entered into an agreement with the Government of Saint Lucia to defer the payment of salary increases and other benefits due to the impacts of COVID-19 on the economy and government revenue. The agreement, signed by the various Trade Unions and Public Sector Associations comprising the Trade Union Federation was entered into on July 21, 2021.

The TUF represented by President Julian Monrose and the Government Negotiating Team represented by Chairman Vern Gill, agreed that payment of the 1.0% salary increase due to officers in Grades 1 to 18 from April 2020 be furthered deferred to April 2022. It was also agreed that associated retroactive payments be paid as a lump sum by December 2022.

The Parties also decided that the payment of the 2.0% salary increase due to Grades 1 to 18 from April 2021 be deferred to March 2023 and the associated retroactive payments be paid as a lump sum by March 2023.

The agreement provides for a one hundred percent waiver of income tax on the retroactive payments.

The agreement for the deferment of salary increases does not replace the Collective Bargaining agreements currently in place between the Government of Saint Lucia and the affiliates of the Saint Lucia Trade Union Federation for the period 2019/2022. Rather it seeks to details the implementation of the provisions with respect to the agreed salary increases.