JCSA seeks meeting with Finance Ministry to discuss outstanding compensation issues

By Clinton McGregor    

 

The Jamaica Civil Service Association (JCSA) says it wants a meeting with Finance Minister Fayval Williams to discuss a number of outstanding issues affecting public sector workers.

 

JCSA President Techa Clarke-Griffiths told Radio Jamaica News that her members are dissatisfied with the settlement reached with the Finance Ministry under the compensation review.

 

"We still have the issue of supervisors getting less than the persons they supervise. Those are still outstanding matters. We have persons who have been promoted, are appointed and are getting less pay. Those are still outstanding matters. We have the public sector workers...especially the auxiliary workers and drivers, the circular relating to the tailoring allowance is still outstanding. We have not received it even though we have signed our heads of agreement with the Ministry of Finance," she outlined. 

 

Mrs. Clark- Griffiths warned that there could be disruptions in the public service if the outstanding matters remain unresolved. 

 

She said she wants the issues settled before the next round of negotiations scheduled to start in the coming weeks. 

 

"The public sector workers are eagerly waiting on their three increments to be paid and so we're hoping that by the end of March 2025 we have concluded that aspect of the negotiations so that the persons can get their three increments paid to them. So...the Jamaica Civil Service Association is looking forward to the discussions with the minister and the team at the Ministry of Finance so that we can get these issues addressed and do them expeditiously so that we don't have a long, drawn-out negotiating period," she indicated. 

 

Wage negotiations between the JCSA and the Finance Ministry under the compensation review were concluded in September last year prior to the departure of former finance minister, Dr. Nigel Clarke.