WAGE NEGOTIATION talks between Alumina Partners of Jamaica (Alpart) and the Union of Technical Administrative and Supervisory Personnel (UTASP) have broken down.
UTASP, which represents 200 supervisors and technicians, in a release issued last Friday, said that an impasse had developed over the lack of progress in negotiations. St. Patrice Ennis, general secretary of the union, said that UTASP has decided not to return to the bargaining table until the management makes an improved offer.
INAPPROPRIATE RESPONSE
He told The Gleaner, "The negotiations broke down as a result of the company refusing to respond to the majority of the items on a 24-item claim. Simple things like safety, which should be a negotiable item. The company has not responded appropriately and in most of the items, have made no offer."
He said, as a result, workers are incensed that they made a sacrifice in that in 2002, having forgone a salary increase because the company was experiencing financial difficulties. In 2003, and 2004, they also reportedly accepted a marginal increase of four per cent.
ADRESSING CLAIMS
Mr. Ennis argued, "Now that the company is recording record production and productivity, which is generated by the commitment and dedication of the workers, the workers ... believe that the company is in a position to address substantially the items and the claims."
The National Workers Union (NWU), which represents production workers at Alpart is also engaged in wage negotiations. Norman Dacosta, deputy island supervisor of the NWU, said that the union was in solidarity with UTASP.
The Gleaner was unable to get a response from Alpart.
