By Michelle Loubon

Copyright trinidadexpress

Traumatised staff of the National Insurance Board (NIBTT) are excited to receive their compensation packages, says chairman of the Public Services Association (PSA) NIBTT Section Branch Committee Sheldon Joseph.

He made the comment yesterday following a meeting with PSA president Felisha Thomas, general secretary Kellon Wallace and NIBTT senior executives at NIBTT headquarters, Queen’s Park East, Port of Spain.

The purpose of the meeting was to finalise documents relative to the Prime Minister’s announcement last week that Cabinet had approved the implementation of salary adjustments and the settlement of outstanding arrears owed to NIBTT employees.

Her announcement concluded a long-standing industrial relations matter involving a collective agreement between the NIBTT and the PSA, which was signed for the period January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2016.

Persad-Bissessar said the collective agreement, lawfully registered and binding, had not been implemented for over a decade, resulting in approximately 600 current and 350 former employees of the NIBTT not being paid salary adjustments or arrears dating back to 2014.

Speaking to the media yesterday, Joseph said Wallace and Thomas were heading to the Industrial Court, St Vincent Street, Port of Spain, to withdraw the agreement which was expected to be heard on Thursday. About 950 employees, who ensure the social security systems are intact, are expected to benefit from the settlement soon and to be paid by the end of September-both salaries and backpay.

In a phone interview yesterday, Thomas said the PSA “prepared a cover letter and submitted it. We informed the court the matter was withdrawn. Friday’s announcement by the PM (Kamla Persad-Bissessar) is a true testament of government with a difference. It treats workers with respect and dignity. They are happy the honourable PM took the decision she took to allow them to be paid.”

Earlier, Joseph had explained that the meeting with NIBTT officials “was for the period 2014 to 2016 which looked at the agreement which was signed off in October 2000. This is a registered agreement with the Industrial Court and it was not honoured due to the ‘unfortunate interference’ of the former finance minister (Colm Imbert). The trade dispute can be withdrawn from the Industrial Court. It was supposed to be heard at 1 p.m. on Thursday.”

He added: “Staff are relieved. Staff were traumatised. This was one of the campaign promises. We are happy for the finalisation of it.”

Asked about his budget wishes, he said: “I would like to see the other campaign promises come to fruition.”