There is reportedly growing disquiet among employees at Sagicor Bank branches across Jamaica over protracted wage negotiations.
In a statement Tuesday, Vice President of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU), Rudolph Thomas, indicated that employees have been wearing black to work to signal their dissatisfaction.
Mr. Thomas said the union's claims for improved wages and benefits were submitted in October 2024, but negotiations have become increasingly drawn out, extending beyond eight months since a clarification meeting held on January 31 this year with both bargaining units.
He contended that while the employer has publicly celebrated strong financial performance and achievements over the last year, it has failed to extend a fair and reasonable wage offer to employees.
Mr. Thomas said unionised staff have mandated the BITU to reject the current wage offer and to serve a 72-hour notice of industrial action on Sagicor Bank's management.
The union said it anticipates the intervention of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security on Tuesday.
Mr. Thomas cautioned that failing such intervention, normal operations that Sagicor Bank branches across the island may be disrupted.
Meanwhile, Sagicor Bank said it has successfully reached agreements with the BITU on the majority of matters being negotiated in the bargaining process.
The bank said as it relates to negotiations between the BITU and Sagicor Life Jamaica for a collective labour agreement, all but one matter have been resolved.
It said despite best efforts and willingness to explore reasonable options, consensus has not been achieved on the remaining outstanding matter.
The bank said the Ministry of Labour and Social Security has been engaged to assist in facilitating a fair and timely resolution.
The company's leadership said it is hopeful that a mutually agreeable resolution will be reached through the established industrial relations framework.
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