Tribunal hears Prison Officers’ arguments today for a better wage offer from CPO

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Tribunal hears Prison Officers’ arguments today for a better wage offer from CPO

The Prison Officers’ association (POA) is set to make its voice heard before a tribunal hearing today, as they seek a better wage offer than the Chief Personnel Officer’s (CPO) four per cent.

The final sitting takes place today at the Industrial Court in Port-of-Spain.

Thursday marked the second day of a three-day special tribunal in a matter between the CPO and and the POA.

The association is before the court after rejecting the Government’s four per cent wage increase offer.
The referrals to court were made by Finance Minister Colm Imbert in his winding-up of the 2022/2023 budget debate.

The tribunal panel at the Industrial Court was led by Judges Larry Achong, Vincent Cabrera and Heather Sealey.
Senior Counsel Seenath Jairam appeared on behalf of CPO Daryl Dindial, while Courtney Mc Nish is representing the Prison Officers Association (POA).

Jairam, in a GML report said, “The tribunal is mandated when giving an award in respect of any memorandum of three years to make an award for five years. So, even though it was or it has expired for three years, the court cannot give an award for three years. So, even if it is going to final adjudication, it means that we would have to give the two expired agreements 10 years.”

Four trade unions are seeking to settle the dispute between themselves and the Government over its four per cent salary increase offer for public servants.