The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

MANAGERIAL and supervisory staff at Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) have secured a new five-year industrial agreement, a trade union leader saying it was a “great way to begin the New Year”.

Obie Ferguson, president of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), told Tribune Business that the new agreement with franchise operator Restaurants Bahamas, which he has been trying to secure for years on behalf of both managerial and supervisory staff, was “quite comprehensive”.

“It’s certainly a good way to begin the New Year,” he said. “I must say that this is certainly a very comprehensive agreement.” He added that it provides benefits such as insurance, a $5,000 lump sum payment, a nine percent increase in base salary, pension and holiday pay.

“We are very pleased that we were able to get this completed,” said Mr Ferguson of the agreement, which took effect on January 9. He credited former union leader turned labour consultant, Robert Farquharson, and labour minister, Dion Foulkes, for aiding negotiations with Restaurants Bahamas, which is headed by businessman George Myers. Mr Ferguson also credited KFC’s operator for what he described as “civility” in the negotiations.