Maintenance workers employed to the Jamaica Private Power Company in Rockfort, Eastern Kingston are off the job.
The workers are protesting over the suspension of one of their colleagues, who is also an assistant union delegate.
It is understood that the worker who was scheduled for duty on Tuesday did not turn up and as a result, the management of the power plant took action.
When the employee turned up for work last night, he was given two letters, one requesting a written explanation for his absence and the other in which the management stated that he would be notified if he will be allowed to resume work.
His fellow colleagues protested outside the gates of the facility Thursday morning, September 15, over how the matter was dealt with.
Robert Harris, the Senior Negotiating Officer for the Union of Clerical, Administrative and Supervisory Employees, outlined the union's position.
"The company knows that this individual is an alternate delegate, who sits in meetings whenever a delegate is not on site and being at work on the night shift, he would be the one who represents the workers’ interest on duty (and) the (company) knows that. That is a breach of protocol because they have to first discuss with the union, (any) action (they plan) to take against any of our representative at the work site and we did not hear about until we were told this morning by way of a telephone call," he said.
Mr. Harris added that the matter was dealt with poorly by the management, as a meeting should have instead been held with the worker.
He said the workers will continue to protest until the matter is amicably resolved.
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