Arbitration Council rules in favor of SWM management

The nation’s Arbitration Council on Wednesday ruled in favor of the management team at the Surinamese Water Company (SWM). The union had reportedly asked for a raise of SRD 500 and a lump sum of SRD 2,000. Documents which Times of Suriname managed to obtain also indicate that the workers will receive SRD 2,290 less net thanks to wrong calculations that were made by union. SWM workers reportedly already received SRD 250 pending the final collective labor agreement for 2017. The union and management negotiated for several months but could not find common ground which is why the union decided to call the Arbitration Council on June 8. Both parties appeared before the Arbitration Council last month. After several meetings with both parties the Arbitration Council on Wednesday ruled that the workers would receive a raise of SRD 275 starting January 1, 2017. The workers will also receive a lump sum of SRD 1,000. The will receive half of the lump sum at the end of September and the other half at the end of December. Reports indicate that the union failed to mention the early payments of SRD 250 to the Arbitration Council. As a result of the omission management won the right to deduct this advance with retroactive power. The union can’t correct the stupidity because the verdict of the Arbitration Council is final. A source told Times of Suriname that management has done its homework. Based on its calculations management concluded that due to the amateurish actions of Union Chairman Rudi Baarh the workers will earn less after the deduction of taxes, health insurance, pension and general old age retirement contribution. When asked to comment management made it clear that it did not wish to answer any questions but it did indicate that it did not deem itself as the victor of the negotiations.