JUTC/UCASE reach resolution of pay issue

By Balford Henry, Senior Staff Reporter

THE BOARD of directors of the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC), is to decide on the issue of the increments being demanded for its supervisory and clerical staff by the Union of Clerical, Administrative and Supervisor Employees (UCASE).

UCASE claims that members of the bargaining unit have been discriminated against, in terms of incremental pay increases emanating from a Peat Marwick study in July.

According to the union's spokesman, Danny Roberts, the increments had been granted to bus crews and other workers, represented by the University and Allied Workers Union (UAWU), but that members of the UCASE bargaining unit were denied similar treatment.

In a letter to executive chairman of the company, Joseph Matalon last week Tuesday, UCASE warned that if the increments were not applied to the salaries of the supervisors in September, the workers would take action. However, according to Mr. Roberts on Wednesday, he had received a response from Mr. Matalon earlier in the week which caused the union to change its position.

Mr. Roberts said that in the letter, Mr. Matalon accepted validity of the claim and stated that it has been approved by management. However, he said that he would have to seek the board's approval on October 4.

UCASE is an affiliate of the National Workers Union (NWU).

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