M&CC signs agreement with union body for increase in wages for 2024, 2025

Workers of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) are set to receive a 10 per cent retroactive wage and salary increase for 2024, along with an eight percent salary increase for 2025.

A statement from the Ministry of Labour on Thursday confirmed that the M&CC and the Guyana Local Government Officers Union (GLGOU) signed a Memorandum of Agreement to ensure the substantial wage and salary increases.

The 10 percent increase for 2024 is to be paid on or before March 31, 2025, and the eight percent for 2025 will take effect from January 2025 and will be disbursed retroactively by July 31, 2025.

According to the statement, the agreement was finalised in the presence of Chief Labour Officer Dhaneshwar Deonarine, marking a significant step toward improved compensation and benefits for municipal employees.

Mayor Alfred Mentore, Town Clerk Candace Nelson, and President of GLGOU Kimberly Porter were among those present at the signing.

The GLGOU had recently requested an urgent meeting with the Town Clerk to resolve the issue of increase in salaries.

The body had threatened that failing to meet and address the matter would have resulted in industrial action for all workers under the GLGOU bargaining unit.

“The prolonged delay of negotiations for the multi-year packages 2023 to 2025, and failure to meet to discuss the terms of negotiations are unacceptable and disrespectful behaviour towards the Guyana Local Government Officers Union Membership,” the GLGOU letter had said.

Town Clerk Nelson told the News Room on Thursday that this issue has been ongoing for a while and has been finally resolved. She said she not wish to comment further on the outcome.