By: Precious Mills
BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 21st December 2018)- The St. Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union (SKNT&LU) recently closed negotiations following a collective bargaining agreement in the interest of workers at manufacturing plant API Harowe Server (St.Kitts) Ltd. located in Sandy Point.
Following two days of discussions between both parties, conducted on Tuesday 11th and Wednesday 12th December at the St.Kitts Marriott Hotel in Frigate Bay, a contract has been put together.
Among those seated at the discussion table were SKNT&L’s President Joseph O’Flaherty Jr., First Vice President Sydney Bridgewater, General Secretary Batumba Tak and Plant Manager at API Harowe Server (St.Kitts) Ltd. Carol Evelyn.
Among the ten (10) areas addressed in this new document are Health & Safety Advisory Committee, Long Service Awards, Paternity Leave Policy, Attendance Performance Bonus, General Wage Increase, Footwear Allowance as well as Retirement Fund and Life Insurance Plan, two separate items which have been added.
Notably, Harowe Server Ltd.’s response for the new proposal agreement follows recommendations submitted by Tak on Wednesday 28th November 2018 after a series of discussions.
As gathered, it understood between both parties that all other language in current agreement will remain the same except for the dates of period covered 1/1/19 through 12/31/2021.
In giving feedback on the recent meeting, Tak had this to say: “We had a good meeting and it was very lively and interesting. The employer (Harowe Server Ltd.) is mindful of what is happening in regard to the global economy not just in St.Kitts, and such has been taken into consideration. Next year, we will continue discussions. The contract that has been put together is based on past discussions and issues at other workplaces.”
Meanwhile President O’Flaherty Jr. has informed that as part of the company’s commitment for ongoing improvements and the need to conduct further discussions and feasibility studies for the development of other programs for the associates such as Joint Contribution Retirement Plans, the committees agree to conduct bi-annual meetings at dates to be determined.
According to him, the committee members will consist of the bargaining units from both sites, the union officers and company management.
“Further, the company requires that all associates, salary and hourly, recognise and comply with the Altra Code of Conduct, by signing the required documentation as read and understood,” O’Flaherty added.
API’s headquarters is located in New York City in the US. The company engages in technology manufacturing which is used in motors such as magnetic and electronic components.