asked the Minister for the Public Service if he will enter into discussions with the UPTCS with a view to having payment of the arbitrator's award for foresters, as contained in arbitration report number 509, resolved in a fair way, particularly in view of the fact that the claim was lodged in June 1981 and the Government are considering only finally honouring the award in full in July 1988 and thus creating an anomalous situation whereby foresters are only paid the first instalment of their award three and a quarter years after the abritration date, while other civil servants are receiving the full instalment one and a quarter years after they are fixed by arbitration.
Written Answers. - Foresters Pay Award.
52.
Mr. Cowen
The claim lodged on behalf of the foresters in June 1981 was for a restructuring of the forester grades and it was the subject of various discussions between the then Department of Fisheries and Forestry and UPTCS in 1981, 1982 and 1983. In June 1983 the union changed the restructuring claim to a basic salary claim. The latter claim is the subject of the outstanding arbitration finding.
As a result of negotiations which I have had with UPTCS, agreement has been reached with that union on arrangements for the implementation of all their outstanding arbitration findings. The arrangements take account of the special aspects of these findings.
The agreement provides for a pay increase of 6 per cent for forester grades with effect from 1 May 1986. The balance of the increase recommended by the arbirator will be paid on a phased basis from 1 December 1986, 1 December 1987 and 1 July 1988. In addition, ex gratia lump sum payments will be paid on a phased basis over the next four years, commencing in July 1986.
The agreement is in the context of the acceptance by the union of the other elements in the package of proposals, covering the 25th round and other pay related matters, negotiated with the Civil Service unions in January last. The arrangements which I have outlined above will be implemented as soon as possible after the union signifies its acceptance of the overall package.