The government yesterday signed an industrial agreement with the Bahamas Public Service Union (BPSU) that will, among other things, increase the minimum wage for nearly 2,000 members of the union by $800 a year.

"Certainly we are extremely pleased to have actually made history," said BPSU President John Pinder at a press conference at the Ministry of Public Service.

"I think in my 12 years as president, this is my first time concluding an industrial agreement in such record time, in less than six months we had this hammered out."

Regarding the minimum wage increase, Pinder said his members who receive an annual wage of $10,700 will see an increase to $11,500. "That was extremely important," Pinder said.

"My heart bleeds for some of my members, especially those from Environmental Health. "Some of those guys drive the garbage trucks and the ones who are loaders who have to pick up garbage, they make the minimum wage. "They have the most physical labor and they are at risk at all times.

So I was glad that we were able to at least get that accomplished so far." Keith Archer, lead negotiator for the government, said the five-year agreement will take effect this year, with employees receiving their benefits next month. Minister of State for Finance Michael Halkitis said the agreement is something that both the government and the union can live with.

"As we all know, these are very challenging fiscal times and we have asked all public sector unions to work along with us as we maneuver through this very rough financial time," he said.

"We are pleased to acknowledge that the Bahamas Public Service Union has demonstrated its commitment to that invitation by signing off on this very important agreement today."

Increases Pinder's members will also see an increase in pension benefits where some members who were only able to "enjoy $285 a month can now realize as much as $1,200".

"Once we pay the right contributions we can realize as much as $1,200 a month," said the union president, who did elaborate on what those contributions will be. Pinder also said, "We are real pleased that the government was able to, in spite of the hard economic times, bring some sort of financial relief to some of our members. So we are most thankful for what we were able to accomplish."

His members will also see an increase in their annual increments, a travel allowance increase, and a gas mileage increase. Pinder said the agreement will also allow the union to be a part of promotion exercises concerning its members.

"We were also able to bring some sort of closure to this matter of persons receiving hazard pay and risk allowance," he said. "We were able to get the government to agree to a fixed amount that persons would receive attached to their pay package each month. We thought that was certainly a step in the right direction."

Pinder said the remainder of his members will see a general increase in wages in 2016. "In 2016, in the new budget year, is when the general increase will come for the entire public service when everybody will receive a double increment as an increase and that will be added to the base salary," he said. Officials did not say what the total cost to the government will be for the new agreement signed yesterday.

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