JCSA wants urgent meeting with Finance Minister Clarke ahead of his departure

By Clinton McGregor   

 

The Jamaica Civil Service Association says it wants an urgent meeting with Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke before he demits office.

 

The Association says trade unions have been caught off guard by the sudden announcement of Dr. Clarke's imminent departure.

 

JCSA President Techa Clarke-Griffiths says her members are worried that the negotiations with the Ministry of Finance under the compensation review could be derailed with the exit of Dr. Clarke.

 

She says there are a number of outstanding issues. 

 

"We were in the position of drafting our claim, and we actually have a draft claim in process right now that needs urgent attention," she said, urging the minister to convene a meeting so the outstanding matters can be settled. 

 

"The Jamaica Civil Service Association is not prepared to undo the progress that we have made in the current negotiations, because we have been at this for more than a year now. I'm hoping that Minister Clarke will call the meeting so that we can have a frank and urgent discussion on these matters, as well as be prepared to include in the September supplemental estimate the amount that is required to pay outstanding payments for public servants," she added. 

 

Mrs. Clarke-Griffiths, who represents the largest block of government employees, warned that her members are still restive over the long delay in arriving at a deal.

 

"I am really very disappointed that we are at a stage where now we have to be falling over each other and grappling for time to close our negotiations. I am also hoping that the new minister is properly briefed on the process and progress that we have made, and going forward in the upcoming negotiating period, that he or she is prepared to continue the discussions on the outstanding items under the compensation restructuring items, including anomalies, and many other outstanding issues that we have on the table."