Advertisement

JTA Credit Union workers walk off the job

Workers at the Jamaica Teachers Association Credit Union on Tuesday morning walked off the job and staged a protest in front of their Church Street offices in Kingston.

The workers were upset over the dismissal of three of their colleagues.

The placard bearing employees, all dressed in black sang and danced even as they voiced strong objections to the dismissal.

One of the workers spoke with RJR News.

"And we strongly believe that the staff was unjustifiably dismissed in the manner in which they were. One of the three employees who were dismissed has about 31 years of service to this credit union," said an employee.

But speaking with the RJR News Board Secretary Patrick Smith told RJR News the workers were dismissed due to negligence.

He said the matter has become a criminal one.

"The General Manager has made several attempts top get in touch with the union. So as soon as we can have a meeting with the union, we will ascertain from them what their position is on the matter," said Mr. Smith.

"But the Board, having taken the decision, will stick to that position unless we can see other reasons we should change our position...The matter has been referred to the police and an arrest was made but not any of the dismissed workers," he continued.  

And President of the Union of Clerical Administrative and Supervisory Employees Danny Roberts is insisting the workers were not allowed due process.

"And those workers never had an opportunity to have their case heard and to provide any response to the charges that were leveled against them. This dismissal is not justifiable and unwarranted," said Mr. Roberts.

"These dismissals are a clear violation of the constitutional rights of the Jamaican workers and were carried out by a Board comprising some of our most reputable educators," he said.

The Credit Union has thousands of members drawn from the membership of the Jamaica Teachers Association.

 

 

 

 

 



Most Popular