JCTU wants to resume wage negotiations

 

The Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU) has written to the Ministry of Finance for the continuation of public sector wage negotiations within the context of the severe damage the hurricane has inflicted on the government's finances. 

 

President of the JCTU St. Patrice Ennis says the letter was dispatched this week. 

 

Mr. Ennis says it contains the union's position on the wage offer from the government and a request for a meeting date at the earliest. 

 

The revised offer has 2% in year one for the 2025-27 contract period, and of 2.5% in each of the remaining two years. 

 

Mr. Ennis says the JCTU is open to discuss non-wage compensation to benefit its members affected by the hurricane. 

 

"In light of what transpired with respect to the western region and other areas in Jamaica, those factors should be taken into consideration and put on the table in terms of how we treat with the negotiation and how we can respond, not necessarily in terms of wages, but persons need assistance perhaps in housing and some of the relaxation. We have seen the NHT talk about a moratorium on mortgages and so on. These could form part of the discussion to treat with persons in the affected areas. But we believe that there are other aspects of the negotiation that we need to treat with and so we need to commence as soon as possible," he indicated.

 

The position of the JCTU differs from the Union of Clerical, Administrative and Supervisory Employees (UCASE), whose general secretary, John Levy, says the union is prepared to postpone wage negotiations, but this must be matched by a national commitment including private sector restraint on price gouging and government action to speed up economic recovery. 

 

It is preliminarily estimated that the hurricane caused more than J$1 trillion in damage.