The state-run Sanitation Service Authority (SSA) has revised its controversial performance incentive scheme for workers, who last year suspended industrial action to allow for the development of a revamped plan to meet their demands.
SSA Chairman Ramon Alleyne revealed that the revised plan has been submitted to the workers’ bargaining agent, the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW). He has requested that both parties return to the negotiating table in early February to finalise the new proposal.
The NUPW had previously granted the SSA additional time to revise the original incentive plan, which the garbage collection and disposal agency had presented to the union. At that time, the union said it had asked the workers to give their employer a little more time to establish clear criteria for the scheme.
“We have forwarded a proposal to the union, and the hope is that we would shortly have some meetings to finalise it, most likely in early February. A form has been prepared and forwarded to them for consideration, and discussions are set for early February. We are getting some movement there,” Alleyne told Barbados TODAY.
Confirming receipt of the updated plan, NUPW General Secretary Richard Greene said the union has not yet decided on a specific date for the proposed meeting.
“NUPW can confirm that it has received the draft proposal of a performance incentive plan for workers at the Sanitation Service Authority. This plan was introduced to us mid-last year, and at the initial discussions, the NUPW was of the view that the Sanitation Service Authority needed to go back and revise the incentive plan, to one that we felt would have been more meaningful to the employees at Sanitation Service Authority,” Greene told Barbados TODAY on Wednesday.
He added that the plan is currently under review by the union’s technical staff and management division, which includes shop stewards and NUPW representatives.
“Sanitation has asked to meet in February on it,” Greene confirmed. “We have requested they move the meeting a little bit closer in January based on the urgency of it and the time it has been outstanding. But Sanitation responded to say that they are unavailable at this time because of a number of commitments with the department. So, at this time, we are considering a response to the request to have the meeting continue in February. But in the interim, we are using the time to study the proposal more in-depth.”
Greene explained that the union is examining the proposal to determine how specific performance incentive rates will be applied to the defined responsibilities and roles of SSA workers.
The incentive plan has been a contentious issue for months. In mid-2024, workers, including truck drivers, loaders, and administrative staff, staged a wildcat strike supported by the Caswell Franklyn-led Unity Workers Union (UWU), which is not recognised by SSA management. They demanded resolution of the incentive pay dispute and improvements in working conditions.
The SSA had declared the work stoppage a breach of protocol. The NUPW, as the recognised bargaining agent, instructed its members to return to work, while Franklyn insisted his members would remain on the picket line until their demands were addressed. However, all workers subsequently returned to their duties.
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