FACING criticism for accepting a four per cent wage increase, almost on the eve of the 2025 general election, president general of the Contractors and General Workers Trade Union (CGWTU) Ermine De Bique-Meade says she has no regrets.

Her acceptance of Chief Personnel Officer (CPO) Commander Dr Daryl Dindial’s wage increase covering the period 2014 to 2019 on April 24, follows the acceptance of a five per cent wage increase a week before by the TT Unified Teachers’ Association (TTUTA), for the period 2020 to 2023.

Ancel Roget, leader of the Joint Trade Union Movement (JTUM) told the Newsday on May 1, “any self-respecting trade union who are au courant (up to date) with the negotiating process and experiences, would not on the eve of a general election where one party is committing to a better package, would go and sign for a five per cent and give leverage to the incumbent party that was in government at the time.”