Both Sides of The Coin: The Story of The Central Bank of Barbados 1972-2017

160 them Marlene Aimey (later Bayne) served for three consecutive terms. With the passage of time, positions of assistant secretary and assistant treasurer were added to the Executive. At first interest in the group was high, as the new body gave some voice to the staff. This enthusiasm was quite evident during the campaigning for elected posts. The 1981 elections, for example, were very keenly contested, with spot meetings, two manifestoes and a proposal for sharing five per cent of the Bank's profits with the Association. The annual general meeting in June of that year (stimulated by salary negotiations) attracted the highest attendance (83 persons) at any meeting of the Association. In the balloting for the presidency, Linel Franklin got 44 votes (just one less than the combined total for the two men who opposed her) to become the first woman to lead the Association. Salary negotiations The members of the Association viewed it primarily as a body for negotiating salaries, although the leadership of the group tried (often without success) to expand its horizon. The current salaries were higher than those offered to civil servants in comparable positions, in accordance with the understanding reached during the first meeting between the Top: A Staff Association Executive meeting, chaired by Linel Franklin, to discuss the formation of a cooperative. Bottom: former executive members of the Staff Association. Left, Thomas Roach (president, 1976-1978) and right, Marlene Aimey (secretary, 1979-1983).