A revised schedule for implementing American Federation of Teachers members' salary hikes was worked out earlier this month in meetings between government officials, AFT officers and others.
According to a Government House statement from Chief Negotiator Karen Andrews, about 200 AFT members were paid and will continue to receive their salary increases each pay period until all members are paid. All other eligible personnel will be paid by April 5.
"Retroactive payments will be made in clusters of 500 for the period of Sept. 1, 2000, to the date of the salary change implementation," Andrews said in the statement. "Payroll checks with retroactive payment included will be distributed on April 19, May 17 and May 31 of 2001."
She said that insurance premiums not paid during the teachers' strike will be deducted when retroactive payments are implemented.
Andrews apologized for the delays in putting the pay hikes in place and appealed for "patience and understanding." Participating in the Feb. 7 meeting were Andrews, St. Thomas-St. John AFT President Glen Smith, Personnel Director Joanne Barry, Finance Commissioner Bernice Turnbull, Education Commissioner Ruby Simmonds and key staff members.
