FCB workers sick-out again

FOR THE second consecutive day yesterday, work at all branches of First Citizens Bank (FCB) was crippled as workers continued sick-out action which started the day before. Although their bargaining unit — Banking and Insurance General Workers Union (BIGWU) did not authorise the absenteeism, union president Vincent Cabrera indicated that BIGWU is fully behind its members in whatever action they take. Cabrera said  reliable reports are that 80 percent of the workers from the 22 branches of FCB reported ill yesterday.

For the past nine months, the parties have been negotiating for a collective agreement to cover the period 2003/2005. The union is asking for a 12 percent increase over the three-year period and an upgrading of staff, meaning that workers should be placed in a higher bracket, to facilitate the negotiations. But according to Cabrera, the bank is offering ten percent and $100 per worker, to match the upgrading demand. “The workers are not in favour, so they took their own action,” he added. Cabrera further accused Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Christine Sahadeo of “tying the hands of the bank.”

Sahadeo is head of an inter-ministerial committee which deals with money matters affecting State enterprises. According to Cabrera, Minister Sahadeo told the bank not to accept the union’s proposal. “Why is she interfering with the bargaining process? If she wants to come around the bargaining table, she is free to do so,” said Cabrera. He felt the bank was enjoying sufficient profits to meet the salary demands of the union.