PARAMARIBO – Workers from the Central Bank of Suriname (CBvS) on Tuesday went on a brief strike and staged a protest due to the delay in the negotiations that are aimed at reaching a new collective labor agreement.
The union that represents these workers wants clear answers from management regarding the negoations and the introduction of a new job classification system. It wants the union members to have a say in these processes. Union Chairman Robby
Berenstein explained that the negotiations regarding a salary raise started in March but that the talks are progressing at a snail’s pace. The union has presented a proposal for a salary raise that is in accordance with the recent inflation figures.
“We will not discuss the percentages via the media,” said Berenstein who added that management is currently working on a new job classification system. Berenstein deems it crucial for the workers to be involved in the whole process. He criticized management for failing to keep the workers informed of the current state of affairs and its plans for the future. “Letters remain unanswered. It seems as if they want to bench the employees while our collective labor agreement clearly states that personnel affairs must first be discussed with the union,” said Berenstein who added that the union members had presented an ultimatum for July 6th but that management did not respond to it. The union therefore deemed it necessary to take action.
