Now, the joint unions are responding to what Minister of state for Finance Chris Coye put in the government's most recent counter proposal to them on June 5th.
In that letter he offered a 4% increase with effect from October 1, 2025, an additional increment at the start of fiscal year 2026/27; and a further salary increase of 4.5% together with a second increment to be phased in over the following two fiscal years.
To that, he added, quote, "the public finances are not in a position to enable it to accede to a request for an 8.5% salary and pension increase in the current fiscal year.
This would mean an additional cost of almost $60 million per annum in perpetuity."
Today, speaking at another event, he related to the press that's the maximum ceiling of what government can afford:
Christopher Coye, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance
"Well I think that's a decision for the cabinet and Prime Minister, but ultimately we can only do what we can afford. So the finances, reviewing the finances, looking at what makes economic sense, what makes financial sense, not just for today, but for tomorrow and further, further into the future is what we have to have a contrast before any, any adjustments can be made. What is clear is that we can afford what was proposed in the second proposal."
