NHA, union sign new collective agreement

IT TOOK more than two years of haggling on a number of issues before the National Housing Authority (NHA) and National Union of Government and Federated Workers (NUGFW) came to terms on a new collective agreement for NHA daily-paid workers. The agreement was signed a few days ago and will be registered with the Industrial Court later this week. What is significant is that this agreement ends on December 31 and the union is already in the process of formulating proposals for the next agreement. NHA officials said as a result of the signing of the agreement, NHA workers are expected to benefit from an increase in pay for the period November 2003 to October 31 2004, and other wage increases with effect from November 1, 2004 to December 31, 2004.

NUGFW president-general Robert Giuseppi told Newsday the delay in signing stemmed from a reclassification and regrading exercise on which the agreement was finally reached. Noel Garcia, NHA chief executive officer, who signed on behalf of the authority, said the event was a step towards better industrial relations. Giuseppi who was the union’s signatory, thanked his team for maintaining a united front. He expressed his appreciation for the approach of the employer and stressed, “although there were anxious moments, the relationship was never broken.” Giuseppi said he hoped the road would be smoother during negotiations for the next collective agreement.