UNIONS representing sugar workers recently signed a new two-year wage agreement with the Sugar Producers’ Foundation, on behalf of the industry’s employees.

The agreement allows for improvements to medical facilities and other health benefits provided by the sugar companies, as well as widening the pension schemes to allow for contributions from workers.

Sugar companies currently provide clinics for the workers, but the unions feel that there is a need to improve the facilities. An inventory is to be done by April 30 and areas in need of improvement are to be noted. An evaluation will then be done to ascertain whether improvements can be accommodated at this time.

At the same time, the Sugar Producers’ Federation (SPF) is to explore the cost of providing improved benefits from the current hospitalisation scheme, which the unions want expanded to provide benefits similar to that provided by health insurance schemes. The parties are to continue discussions, at the local level, on improvements to the current pension plan.

Meanwhile, the parties are to continue discussions on mechanical harvesting of sugar cane, which is already being used at several estates. The unions want special rates for workers who operate the harvesters.

National Workers Union (NWU) island supervisor, Vincent Morrison, told the Observer that the unions were aware that the increased use of mechanical harvesters would cost jobs on the estates, but said new rates should be applicable to the level of expertise required.

“Most factories are already using mechanical harvesters, but not all the fields are suitable for mechanical harvesting and hand harvesting is better. But, the companies have confirmed that there is a shortage of cane cutters which has to be filled by the harvesters,” Morrison said.

The agreement signed at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security last week, took effect at the beginning of the 2003/2004 crop.

It also allows for a 10 per cent increase on all daily and task rates. All rates below $548 per day will be increased in order to maintain the minimum differentials which existed at October 31 2003.

There will also be a 2 1/2 per cent crop bonus calculated on gross earnings; a $10,000 increase in Group Life Insurance to $35,000 and an increase in personal accident coverage from $50,000 to $70,000; as well as increases in clothing and out-of-base meal allowances.

Signing the agreement were Derrick Brown, executive director of the SPF – which groups the sugar companies – and trade unionists Morrison, Wycliffe Matthews and Trevor Munroe, representing the NWU, the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU) and the University and Allied Workers Union (UAWU), respectively.

The talks were chaired by the Ministry chief labour relations director, Gresford Smith.