Caroni and sugar union sign new collective agreement

Caroni (1975) ltd yesterday signed a collective agreement with the All Trinidad Sugar and General Workers Union granting former Caroni daily-paid workers a five percent salary increase for the period January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2004. Under the agreement, workers will receive a four percent increase for 2002; one percent for 2003, and zero percent for 2004. The former employees will also receive six percent increase in the amounts paid to them via Caroni’s Voluntary Separation of Employment Programme (VSEP). The payments as well as a new Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) of 40 cents per hour/ $3.20 per day, will be made to workers on June 13, 2004.

Discussions on workers’ pensions are ongoing and will take place under the aegis of the Industrial Court. Commenting on the agreement, Caroni chairman, Jerry Hospedales said: “Since the implementation of the VSEP in July, 2003, Caroni has sought to provide all former workers with the best possible chance of moving on in their professional and personal lives through the speedy handling of VSEP queries and payments and the provision of training, counselling and financial management advice.”