THE INDUSTRIAL Disputes Tribunal (IDT) has sought the advice of the Attorney-General's Department following the defiance of a back-to-work order by striking workers at Alpart alumina plant in St. Elizabeth.
Deputy Solicitor-General, Patrick Foster, told The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre that he has been consulting with the Ministry of Labour after being advised that the workers defied the IDT's order. The workers, who are represented by the National Workers Union (NWU), stayed off the job for another day after taking industrial action Sunday evening. Yesterday several workers staged a protest at the gates of the plant, as they continued their demands for an inflation adjustment to their salaries.
The workers are rejecting as unacceptable, a 22 per cent wage increase that was offered by the company.
Meanwhile, Vice-President for the NWU, Norman DaCosta, told The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre yesterday that he has yet to receive official notification of the IDT's ruling, which is required to be published in the press to take effect.
HEADING TO THE COURTS
But when contacted, the Ministry of Labour said the notice was done via the electronic media.
According to Gresford Smith, a consultant at the ministry, Section 12 of the Labour Relations and Industrial Disputes Act (LRIDA) gives the IDT the power to issue back-to-work orders.
A reliable source told The Gleaner that the continued defiance of the back-to-work order could see the matter being referred to the courts.
Meanwhile, Alpart's Public Relations Manager, Lance Neita, said the strike action has not significantly affected operations at the plant.
