CLO to discuss demands with Finance Minister

The Member Council of the Central State Employees’ Organizations (CLO) has presented its demands to the union officials who are scheduled to meet with Finance Minister Gillmore Hoefdraad today. The Member Council is reportedly demanding that the purchasing power of SRD 500 be added indefinitely to the salary in addition to a raise of 25 percent. The union officials are expected to present the results of the negotiations before Wednesday. Several member unions last week made it clear to the officials of the labor union federation that they have already put their members on standby and that they will not hesitate to go on strike if they do not get the desired results. “The people are furious”, said CLOmain board member Michael Miskin who added that the main board had no other choice than to obey the wishes of the Member Council. The Member Council has made it clear that the additional SRD 500 must remain tax free when it is incorporated into the wages. The government had suggested to incorporate the SRD 500 and to first give a 15 percent raise. This proposal has been rejected by the CLO’s Member Council. Miskin explained that only a few guilders would be left of the raise after tax deductions. “The CLO members want none of that”, said Miskin who added that the government put itself in a difficult position when it gave the teachers a raise of 111 percent. The CLO wants the same for all state employees as it is sticking to the principle of equality.