Allwood-anderson

Threats of industrial action are once again looming in the health sector as nurses are still unsatisfied with what the Government has stated is its final wage offer.

The Government had offered the nurses 22 per cent over two years for levels three and up, and 24 per cent over two years for levels one and two nurses.

However, the nurses are requesting an 80 per cent pay increase in the first year and 40 per cent in the second year.

Additionally, the Nurses Associ-ation of Jamaica (NAJ) president, Edith Allwood-Anderson said the association was adamant that it will not allow the issue of the salary negotiation with Government to be referred to the Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT).

Past experience

According to the NAJ, past experience with the IDT had not been in the group's best interest.

Up to last night, the nurses were still locked in a meeting with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security in an effort to have the Ministry of Finance and Planning review its latest response to the association's 2006/2008 salary and fringe benefits claim.