The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) signed a new four year agreement with the Bahamas Communications and Public Managers Union (BCPMU) on Tuesday.

At a signing event held at the British Colonial Hotel,  BTC Director of People, Darron Turnquest revealed that the new contract includes a 21% salary increase for employees.  He said, “in the first year, which is the year that’s been passed because this agreement would’ve started in 2023, would’ve been a double increment paid cash to every employee and they will see that increment paid to them in cash on the 15th of this month.  It is followed by a 3% increase.  And so in 30 days post the 15th they will see a 3% increase on their salary for 2024.  They year after that they will see a 4% increase followed by a 3% increase.”

Turnquest added, “everybody who’s not had a move in pension, who’ve been waiting for years or six years because they were at the top of their bar, they will now see a move on their defined benefit pension if they’re a part of that group or their defined contribution pension.  If you know the BTC defined benefit pension you will know that we pay just over 19%  of an employee’s salary on the defined benefit pension. So imagine that increase coupled with the 19% of that increase now on your pensionable salary and other benefits such as life.”

BCPMU President, Kendrick Knowles also spoke at the signing.  During his remarks he said, “in this relationship the union is committed to adhering to what we agreed to in writing.”

Director of Labour, Howard Thompson and BTC Chief Executive Officer, Sameer Bhatti were also in attendance.