The Government of Grenada wants to enter as quickly as possible into a new industrial agreement with the Public Sector Unions on the island for the next three years.

According to Permanent Secretary in the Department of Human Resources, Berly Isaac the four-year agreement with the unions for salary increases and fringe benefits will expire on January 1st 2006.

Isaac told reporters at a press conference that the history of Collective Bargaining in Grenada is that proposals for new agreements are submitted long after the existing one has expired. She indicated that it usually begins with the submission of a proposal by the respective unions and a counter proposal is then presented by government before or during the negotiations.

The three public sector bargaining bodies on the island are the Public Workers Union (PWU), Grenada Union of Teachers (GUT), and the Technical and Allied Workers Union (TAWU).

Isaac noted that in almost every instance of wage dispute settlement between government and the unions, it results in retro-active payment to public officers thus placing added burden on the public expenditure. She indicated that the Keith Mitchell Government is trying to reverse that trend, and to instead adopt a pro-active stance by inviting the unions to begin early negotiations, and if possible to conclude an agreement before the expiry date of the present arrangement.

She pointed that Government wants to move away from the contentious nature of these negotiations, and instead to maintain a harmonious relationship with its workers and their representatives.

One of the expected outcome of this approach, is that expenditure by way of salary increases will be planned and budgeted for in the upcoming Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure.

In addition, Isaac said the government is very mindful of the contribution made by workers to the re-development and reconstruction of Grenada following the passage of hurricanes Ivan and Emily.