Dionne Rose, Staff ReporterTHE JAMAICA Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU) yesterday reached an agreement with the Government on wage and fringe benefits for public sector workers, paving the way for the signing next week of a successor to the historic public sector Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Senator Dwight Nelson, president of the JCTU, told The Gleaner yesterday that the agreement was an improvement on the first offer made by the Government.
The Government had initially made an offer of a 20 per cent increase in the wage fund. This was, however, rejected by the JCTU which demanded $4
billion in the first year and a 10 per cent increase across the board in the second year.
"The entire board of the
confederation met with the Minister (of Finance and Planning, Dr. Omar Davies) and his technical team this morning (yesterday) and we are satisfied that real progress was made in this meeting towards the signing of a second MoU," Senator Nelson said.
He added that another meeting was scheduled for Monday to sign off on the details of the new MoU. Senator Nelson was, however, reluctant to divulge what level of increase was agreed.
SATISFIED
"I don't want to get into the details of what is on the table now or what new positions arose out of this morning's meeting," he said . "Suffice to say, we are satisfied with the positions that are on the table now."
When contacted Fitz Jackson, State Minister in the Finance Ministry, was also tight-lipped on the agreement reached.
He, however, concurred that the Government had improved its offer.
Meanwhile Senator Nelson said the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) was also represented at yesterday's meeting.
"Whatever we discussed this morning and the understanding reached, the JTA will now have to subject it to their Council for acceptance and approval so that they can be signatories to the MoU," he said.
The JTA had earlier indicated it would not enter a second MoU with the Government. In the meantime, JTA President Ruel Reid told the Gleaner/Power 106 News that a meeting has been scheduled for early next week between the JTA and Dr. Davies.
Senator Nelson said that concerns were also resolved with the Government to allow the state's revenue-earning agencies, which are generating surpluses, not to be restricted by the new MoU. They would instead be allowed to negotiate with workers based on their ability to pay.
The unions and the Government have been in discussions for a second MoU for public sector workers since the previous two-year agreement expired on March 30. The negotiations got rocky with at least one member, the Nurses Association of Jamaica (NAJ) pulling out of the negotiations and withdrawing its membership from the JCTU.
The Junior Doctors Association in a statement yesterday, said they were going it alone. Yesterday, Senator Nelson said it was regrettable that the nurses had withdrawn.
