PM hints at taking labour dispute to arbitration

CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC – Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony has cautioned public service unions here that if common ground cannot be met in on-going negotiations, his administration would have no option but to consider taking the matter to arbitration.
Two weeks after the parties returned to the negotiating table, they remain at odds over the wage increases for the period 2010-13, despite both sides indicating they wished to settle the matter as soon as possible.
The unions, which were originally seeking a 16 per cent wage hike for their members, are now demanding a 15 per cent increase, while the government is offering zero per cent for the first two years and a three per cent increase in the third to be paid in April.