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  • 6 hours ago
Minister of Public Utilities Barry Padarath and Public Services Association President Felisha Thomas met this morning at WASA's St. Joseph headquarters, as tensions continue over negotiations with the Authority.
Padarath says recent developments have largely been a matter of communication and that he believes the concerns raised by the PSA are reasonable.
Thomas says despite disagreements over the progress of negotiations, the relationship between the union and Government remains strong and the 10 per cent offer to public servants remains on the table.
The meeting follows Friday's protest action by WASA workers, as the PSA continues to press for progress on outstanding negotiations.
Video by Photojournalist Jermaine Cruickshank
Transcript
00:06Madam President, good morning. How are you going? You good? Good. I am good. I'm glad to see you in
00:12here, ma'am.
00:13I see our members out in full force. Let's go in and talk. Good morning, everybody.
00:24Good morning, everybody. Good morning. Good morning, everybody.
00:38Good morning. Good morning. Good morning.
00:46I would have come down here. Good morning.
00:54Good morning. Good morning.
01:09The first one is the Vita.
01:12The first one is the Vita.
01:12We have the first one.
01:14The first one is the Vita.
01:18The second one is the Vita.
01:34Mr. Parler, do you want to say anything, of course, that you seem that you are right to allow chairs
01:38from the PSA members?
01:40Would you like to express anything?
01:43I've had a preliminary discussion with the PSA president.
01:46As you know, they partnered with us in the general election of 2025.
01:51We have not reneged from any of our commitments made to the PSA.
01:55I think what has happened over the last couple of days has been an issue of communication and an issue
02:00of process.
02:01And I've been very mindful of what the PSA president has said over the last couple of days.
02:07And therefore, that's why I thought it was necessary for me to come and meet, hear their concerns directly,
02:12and see how we can bring a speedy resolution to this matter.
02:15I don't think what I've heard thus far has been unreasonable.
02:19And therefore, in the spirit of good faith and working alongside the PSA, we are committed to resolving the issues.
02:27Wonderful.
02:28Madam President, anything quickly?
02:29Your members seem very happy this morning when I saw the minister.
02:33Of course.
02:33Any feelings?
02:34Of course, and let me point out the undeniable fact that this is a different type of governance.
02:42Notwithstanding that we had some internal issues with the progress of the negotiations,
02:47it still remains that this government has not reneged on the 10% offer.
02:51And let me remind people, one of the things that the PSA demanded from the last administration,
02:57that the process of negotiations return.
03:01And this is part of negotiations.
03:04Sometimes negotiations break down, sometimes there are disagreements,
03:07and that is what we're experiencing today.
03:09But this relationship does not require the silence of the PSA.
03:14This relationship stands strong, and we now go to sit and resolve the issues that we have.
03:19So this is the governance we fought for, and this is the governance that we enjoy today.
03:23Wonderful.
03:24Thank you, Nostal.
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