THE JAMAICA Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU) said yesterday that it was concerned about the statement made by Minister of Health, John Junor, on the possibility of medical technologists being fired for staying away from work.A statement yesterday, signed by vice-president Senator Dwight Nelson, said;
"The Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions wishes to express its concern at the turn of events in the dispute between the Medical Technologists employed to the Ministry of Health and that Ministry.
This concern is heightened in the light of recent public statements by the Ministry of Health, threatening to terminate the services of these employees.
The Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions does not condone disregard for the Law, or legitimate directions and instructions from Judicial bodies such as the Industrial Disputes Tribunal, and urges its members to pay due respect to the provisions of the laws of Jamaica. At the same time, however, we cannot accept the threatening response of the Minister of Health.
Threatening and bullying workers into acquiescence is, and must remain a historical solution to industrial relations problems.
The fact of the matter is that these loyal and hardworking public servants have been given a raw deal.
In 1998, the "Jones Commission" recognised that there existed grave anomalies between categories of medical technologists and those of scientific officers employed to the Government. Its recommendations emphasised the principle of equal pay for equal work. In the case of the medical technologists, it was the injustice of lower pay for superior work. The medical technologists are the only body of such employees licensed to practice. The scientific officers are not. The medical technologists are often called upon to supervise the work of scientific officers.
The anomalous situation was further exacerbated by an evaluation which reclassified the scientific officers' posts to a higher level, increasing the disparity.
A promise by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, and the Minister himself, to properly address the concerns during the 2002 round of contract negotiations was not fulfilled.
Workers ought not to be treated with such impunity, particularly these workers on whom the health of the Jamaican people depends so heavily. The recent call by the Prime Minister for renewal of dialogue on a social contract, will fall on deaf trade union ears if such treatment persists.
We urge the Ministry of Health to make renewed efforts at settlement of this dispute.
The fact that the matter has been reported to the Tribunal does not preclude the parties from settling at the local level and reporting such settlement to the Tribunal.
The welfare of the Jamaican people demands such as an approach.
