Blossom O'Meally Nelson
AN AGREEMENT is to be signed Monday between the Ministry of Finance and 10 unions representing several categories of workers in the public sector.
The highlight of the agreement is expected to be the setting of a basic weekly rate of $3,500 for the daily paid workers in this unit, which includes junior clerks, postmen and ancillary workers at the Ministries schools, hospitals and statutory bodies.
The agreement also includes improvements in a number of allowances, including laundry, uniforms and supper, as well as shift premiums and funeral grants and a 4 per cent pay increase for the majority of the workers.
The failure of the unions and the Ministry to reach an agreement for the past six months, led to three-hour demonstrations staged by unionised post office workers at the Central Sorting Office, South Camp Road, Kingston between Monday and Wednesday.
Post Master General (PMG) Dr. Blossom O'Meally Nelson admitted that the stoppages created some delays, but said that the postal service was still able to provide basic service.
The unions involved are the Bustamante Industrial Trades Union; the National Workers Union; the University and Allied Workers Union; the Jamaica Association of Local Government Officers; the United Union of Jamaica; the Union of Schools, Agricultural and Allied Workers; the Trades Union Congress; the Jamaica Union of Public Officers and Public Employees; the Jamaica Workers Union and the Jamaica Civil Service Association.
This agreement, however, does not affect the continuing dispute between the Ministry and civil servants who are represented by the JCSA over an 80% of market value pay plan.
The civil servants comprise an entirely different bargaining unit and negotiations on their claims are still being pursued.
