By John Myers Jnr., Staff ReporterEFFORTS TO establish a Joint Industrial Council (JIC) for the island's security guards have hit a snag as its implementation continues to face stiff resistance from private security companies.
This was confirmed by Vincent Morrison, island supervisor of the National Workers Union (NWU).
Gresford Smith, Labour Relations Officer at the Ministry of Labour, told The Gleaner Tuesday that talks between the Jamaica Society for Industrial Security (JSIS) and the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU) "came to an abrupt end." He said the JSIS had backed out of the agreement and had indicated that it would not be signing the agreement.
NOT CONDUCIVE
Commander George Overton, President of the JSIS, was said to be off the island when The Gleaner tried to reach him. However, in an interview with this paper in February, the Commander had said that "the whole economic and industrial relations climate is not conducive to anything of that sort right now."
He said then that "The unions wanted us to sign a pact that would put the whole industry
to them on a silver platter, I
couldn't agree with that." He noted that at no time did the JSIS agree to the setting up of the industrial council.
Mr. Smith explained that a Joint Industrial Council is a voluntary agreement. It would have been a tripartite body comprising representatives from the security companies, the Government and the trade unions.
FACILITATED DISCUSSION
The labour relations officer said the establishment of the JIC would have facilitated discussion and dialogue on various issues rather than having a situation where a representational rights poll would be needed at each institution.
"We believe the guards are the most exploited group in Jamaica," a disappointed Mr. Morrison told The Gleaner.
With the future of the JIC looking dim, Mr. Smith said the Labour Ministry would now have to, as in the past, adjust the minimum wage for security guards and certain allowances such as laundry, insurance coverage and dog and gun handlers fees.
