DESPITE THE late withdrawal of the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU) from the Partnership for Progress agreement, the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) is still optimistic that the document will soon be signed.
The JCTU announced on Wednesday night it would not sign the tripartite agreement between unions, Government and the private sector, aimed at stimulating economic growth. The umbrella union cited problems experienced by public sector workers since the MoU was signed in February 2004. Since that time, workers have been hit by double-digit inflation driven, in part, by higher oil prices.
SAFE ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT
But, PSOJ President Beverley Lopez contended the agreement would have benefited workers: "Within the document we had arranged to have some special discount programmes for the union members - we sought to create in our minds activities that would lead to a more stable and safe economic environment."
Despite this, JCTU Vice-President Danny Roberts insisted unions needed greater assurances from both the Government and the private sector.
