UNION REPRESENTATIVES have written to Prime Minister P.J. Patterson requesting his intervention in a brewing dispute between Labour and Social Security Minister, Horace Dalley and some union leaders.Clive Dobson, president of the National Workers Union (NWU), told The Gleaner that the union representatives had written to the Prime Minister as they were dissatisfied with Mr. Dalley's handling of some labour relations issues.
"We want to give the Prime Minister a chance to intervene to see if we can resolve the matter," Dobson told The Gleaner.
MEDICAL TECHNOLOGISTS
The Gleaner understands that the latest dispute was triggered by the January 7 court decision to fine medical technologists accused of going on an illegal strike in January 2003. In reaction to this, the unions met last week to discuss the matter.
Said Dobson: "The minister's word can not be relied on ... and that kind of relationship cannot continue. It does not augur well for labour relations. This is nothing personal."
However, Senator Dwight Nelson, president of the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU) was tight-lipped on the matter. He told The Gleaner, "The Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions has taken a decision not to comment on the Dalley issue."
Attempts to get a comment from the minister were unsuccessful as he did not return calls made to him. But a reliable source told The Gleaner that the minister would be writing the unions requesting a meeting with them to address their concerns.
This is not the first time that the unions have been at odds with the minister. Late last year, Mr. Dalley and the unions were at loggerheads over a review of the Employment Termination and Redundancy Payment Act. The issue was later resolved at a retreat, which was called by the minister in November last year.
