The President of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union, Senator Kavan Gayle, has announced that members of his organisation employed at Scotiabank offices are prepared to disrupt local operations due to the slow pace of wage negotiations between the BITU and Scotia leadership.

“The Bustamante Industrial Trade Union, representing over 1,200 employees at Scotiabank, has declared that it is no longer business as usual at the financial institution, as workers grow increasingly frustrated,” Gayle said. “After ten meetings between the union and the bank to secure a new collective agreement, effective November 2024, the parties have failed to arrive at a settlement.”

Gayle continued by stating that in the latest round of talks, held on Wednesday, May 14th 2025, his Trade Union had formally rejected Scotia’s latest wage proposal, which was for a 6% salary increase in year one, and a 5% increase in year two. The Senator described it as both unreasonable and unrealistic given the challenges faced by the bank’s employees in making ends meet.

“The BITU have since advised Scotiabank that employees’ patience is at an end, and unless there is meaningful movement at the bargaining table, customers may begin to experience disruptions and delays in service as workers express their dissatisfaction,” he added.

Senator Gayle concluded his statement by urging the authorities at Scotia to return with a fairer and equitable offer to their employees, which “reflected the contributions of its dedicated members”.

The BITU President confirmed that his organisation remained committed to supporting and protecting the rights and interests of the workers involved, no matter the cost.