Employees affiliated with the struggle for the Grenada Government to pay their 2021-4% salary increase were dressed in red T-Shirts today marching the streets of the city for yet another time, seeking public attention, as the matter with their employer remains.
They marched in defiance, chanting slogans, honking horns, blowing whistles and waving placards, signaling their disappointment over the Government’s failure to pay.
REPORT:
The Unions had sent out notice yesterday about their “Red Day” event today and while their members did abide with the call, the struggle remains.
The argument about the 2021-4% increase which the Government claims it cannot pay at this time due to economic hardships placed on it by the need to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, which has already prolonged for a considerable period of time.
It still leaves to wonder whether both parties are done with the negotiating table, as a matter of thrashing out their differences, and as to how long will the marches and the protests continue.
The messages on the placards today actually make a call for solidarity over the workers’ plight.
Traversing the busy Halifax Street area, the protestors, with retired and current teachers in the frontline were in single file, away from disrupting the flow of traffic, as they braved what was a slight drizzle, which didn’t really seem to matter much.
The usual Unionized mood with the jumpy rhythmical flavor occupied the curiosity of onlookers, noticing at first glimpse the quarrel that they have not yet received the 4% salary increase, the last tranch of a three-year arrangement.
The fact that the Government says it cannot meet its obligation in time due to the crisis circumstances, has placed the public sector unions at this time in what they say is a fight for “justice”.
The Government has said it’s been in trouble with its revenue, since such streams are under pressure for lack of economic activity brought on by the COVID crisis.
Whether the workers will come to an understanding, or as to whether how long again will it take before the economy can bounce back for them to receive the increase is still within the radar of expectation.
