JAMAICA URBAN Transit Company (JUTC) management has expressed concern at reports that the University and Allied Workers Union (UAWU) is contemplating strike action following a meeting held on Friday to advise union representatives of a payment schedule.In a press release, the JUTC said protest action at this time would have "severe implications for the company and the travelling public."
The company said it understood that the threat of industrial action by the union was in support of a demand that the JUTC agreed (by Friday afternoon) to make additional reclassification payments by November 20.
'DIFFICULT SITUATION'
However, the company said that due to the 'difficult financial situation' facing the JUTC, the payments would have to be made in three tranches; December 17, 2003, February 25, and March 24, 2004.
The dispute arose as JUTC should have started paying wage increases in early July following a reclassification exercise. However, the management backed down on the promise, causing workers to become restive. In August unionised workers at the company started a work-to-rule.
At Friday's meeting union representatives rejected the schedule. Both groups are to meet again tomorrow.
