JUTC and union representing disgruntled workers to meet today

By Prince Moore    

 

A meeting is scheduled to take place Friday between the management of the Jamaica Urban Transit Company and the University and Allied Workers Union to address issues affecting workers at the bus company.

 

It comes after the JUTC warned that commuters could experience delays as the company anticipates possible strike action by some employees.

 

The state owned bus company says the looming action follows the rejection by some employees of a proposal to double their premium payment of 10.5% on their health insurance coverage, provided by Canopy Insurance.

 

The increased premium payment was scheduled to take effect on April 1.

 

Clifton Grant, First Vice President of the University and Allied Workers Union, says workers at a JUTC depot were upset on Thursday after they discovered that they were blocked from accessing benefits on their health cards. 

 

"But based on the report I'm receiving, the workers are back on the job and I'm expecting them to continue working while we seek to address the issues affecting the health insurance. What's really happening is that two years ago, Canopy took over the health insurance, and since that we have been having challenges, the workers can't get access to certain benefits when they try to use their card.

 

"Last year, Canopy came and asked for an increase and they insist on getting 10.5 per cent. This year they came back and said they want an additional 10 per cent. And we said to them, no, the workers cannot afford to pay within a year 20.5 per cent increase," Mr. Grant explained.

 

Calling Canopy's action a "serious breach of contract", the UAWI First Vice President said the union will ensure that the JUTC workers are protected. 

 

 

Transport Minister Daryl Vaz said he has been assured that the JUTC will maintain normal operations on Friday while negotiations continue between the Ministry of Labour and the unions representing workers.

 

In a tweet Thursday night, Mr. Vaz said all JUTC workers were back at work.

 

He said the workers are also expected to turn up for work Friday.

 

Mr. Vaz said a meeting is set for 11 o'clock Friday morning.

 

 

Meanwhile, the parliamentary opposition has called for a swift resolution to issues affecting workers at the Jamaica Urban Transit Company.

 

Opposition Spokesman on Transport Mikael Phillips said commuters should not bear the brunt of the issues affecting workers.

 

Mr. Phillips wants the government to take all required actions to prevent a strike.