Technicians at the St. Kitts Cable Company took industrial action last week, the second within two months, to force the management and directors to pay a salary increase.
The Board, under a new chairman and directors reportedly significantly increased Board fees for themselves, when they took office mid-2015 and gave themselves a Christmas bonus in December 2016.
The technicians first went on strike in February this year to express their disagreement over salaries and several other matters.
WINNFM reported that The Cable technicians returned to work last week following the second strike over the salary dispute, after management approved a 10 % increase for employees.
The dispute had been ongoing since employees learned that Board members for The Cable had given themselves an increase and bonus in December, and employees complained that they had not had any increase in pay for about 9 years.
In February, after technicians working at the head end located at Buckley’s staged sit-ins, the Board agreed that they would consider the staff requests and respond by the end of March.
WINN FM said that the deadline came and went with no word from The Cable Board and the technicians once again staged sit-ins last week.
However following a meeting of top executives, staffers were informed that the Board had approved the 10 percent salary increase. When questioned, one employee said they were not told when the increase would take effect.
As it relates to the other requests made by employees since January, WINN FM was told that the Board said it was working on those.
WINNFM said Board Chairman Heyliger confirmed the salary increase and indicated it would be applied retroactively from January and applies to all levels of staff.