WITCO, SWWTU agree on 6% wage increase

The West Indian Tobacco Co Ltd (WITCO) and the Seamen and Waterfront Workers' Trade Union (SWWTU) have agreed on a six per cent wage increased wages for hourly- and monthly-rated staff.

A release from WITCO said this follows the collective bargaining agreements finalised on July 28. The signing took place at the Lucky Strike Red and White Rooms at WITCO's head office in Champs Fleurs.

At the signing was WITCO's managing director Raoul Glynn, who stressed the company's commitment to ensuring fair compensation, employee satisfaction and retention, as these are crucial for business sustainability.

Glynn said, “The negotiations were transparent, respectful, based on comprehensive data and our very competitive positioning in the market. The agreement is in keeping with the current socio-economic environment of our country, and the company continues to ensure the best benefits are available to employees, and WITCO continues to be a great place to work.”

The release said the negotiations – which took place over a two-month period and cover 2023-2025 – were focused on balancing adjustments in both wages and benefits, which included enhanced health benefits and gradual increases in allowances and premiums.

The parties’ negotiation teams were led by WITCO head of human resources (HR) operations Leah Ishmael-Lynch, head of HR Caribbean Luke Gittens, SWWTU president general Michael Annisette and branch chairman Ricardo Hackett.

WITCO added that with the SWWTU, it will continue to work to build a positive industrial relations environment to the mutual benefit of employees and the organisation.