Trevor Heaven (second right), president of the Jamaica Gasolene Retailers' Association (JGRA), discusses the association's dispute with Shell West Indies Company Ltd. during a press briefing at the Courtleigh Hotel in New Kingston yesterday. National Workers' Union (NWU) vice-president Granville Valentine (left), Errol Edwards (second left), vice-president of the JGRA, and Vincent Morrison, NWU island supervisor, look on. - RUDOLPH BROWN/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
GOVERNMENT VEHICLES could come to a standstill if Shell West Indies Limited fails to adhere to a 30-day ultimatum issued by the Jamaica Gasolene Retailers' Association (JGRA).
According to president of the JGRA, Trevor Heaven, if Shell fails to meet the ultimatum, retailers will withdraw petroleum supplies to all government and state-related vehicles for two days, except in the case of those used for critical and emergency services.
INTENSIFIED PROTEST
"If there is no resolution, the JGRA will endorse intensified protest action until a fair adjustment is made," Mr. Heaven warned during a press briefing at the Courtleigh Hotel in New Kingston yesterday.
He said that since the contract period that ended in 2004, the price for fuel at the commencement of January 2003 was an average of $16.50 per litre, a profit margin of four per cent for retailers. The JGRA head contends, however, that billing prices have since increased to $55 per litre, yielding only a one per cent profit margin.
"The retailers are, therefore, subsidising fuel to government vehicles, dealers cannot and will not continue ... we want an increase from four to six per cent profit margin to the retailer," he argued.
Mr. Heaven stressed that failure to meet this demand would result in the lack of increases for the JGRA's more than 2,000 employees.
Meanwhile, president of the National Workers Union (NWU), Vincent Morrison, has pledged his support to the JGRA, stating that the NWU will appoint itself as the 'whistle-blower' on the issues affecting the trade.
Stating that the workers have been waiting for more than a year for wage adjustments, he said: "I will do everything in my power to urge the Government and those in the industry to see how we can move post-haste to deal with this issue."
When The Gleaner contacted Shell yesterday, Chief Executive Officer Joseph Issa was out of office and unavailable for comment.
