The
Nurses' Association of Jamaica (NAJ), and representatives of the Finance and
Health Ministries, are to meet at the Labour Ministry today in yet another attempt
to resolve the nurses' wage impasse.
Meanwhile, the Police Federation will also be resuming wage negotiations with the Finance Ministry today.
Yesterday morning, the NAJ and the Government ended a meeting at 1:30 p.m. without reaching an agreement. The Labour Ministry intervened in the dispute last week after the island's nurses staged two days of protest action to press the Government for improved wages.
On Saturday, the nurses returned to work following a four-point agreement with the Government at the Labour Ministry.
The NAJ is demanding an 80 per cent pay increase in the first year and 20 per cent in the second year.
The Government is, however, offering 22 per cent over the two years for nurses Level Three and up and 24 per cent for Level One and Two nurses.
Meanwhile, Corporal Raymond Wilson, chairman of the Police Federation, told The Gleaner that the Finance Ministry had decided against having a third party involved in the wage negotiations for rank-and-file members of the police force.
Negotiation
change
Last week the ministry, in a
statement, said it would this year change the way in which negotiations are conducted through the introduction of an independent body which would consider and recommend on the wage claims of the various police groups.
However, the federation has rejected this recommendation. The ministry's 11th-hour change
prevented a possible sickout by
members of the police force.
The federation had presented
a 41-point proposal to Government.
The police are seeking a salary increase of 45 per cent in the first year and 30 per cent in the second of a two-year contract.
