Unions push to conclude wage talks with Finance Ministry ahead of Clarke's departure

By Prince Moore 

   

The Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions says it will be pushing to conclude wage negotiations with the Finance Ministry prior to the departure of Dr. Nigel Clarke.

 

Dr. Clarke is set to become a Deputy Managing Director of the IMF, effective October 31.

 

JCTU President St. Patrice Ennis says he spoke on Tuesday with Dr. Clarke, who expressed an interest in finalising the public sector negotiations.

 

He told Radio Jamaica News that Dr. Clarke has asked for the unions to organise a meeting to draft an agreement to complete the negotiations. 

 

"So that is what we intend to do. We are trying to see whether we could get the parties, the respective union leaders who are part of the negotiating team to see their availability to meet as soon as possible, and I'm in the process of trying to do that. So the minister remains interested. He has indicated that to me and also indicated that he would even try to be a part of that meeting with respect to seeing how we can conclude," Mr. Ennis explained. 

 

Meanwhile, the Jamaica Medical Doctors Association (JMDA) is hoping that the Finance Minister will address the concerns of members under the public sector wage negotiations.

 

JMDA President Dr. Renee Badroe said her members are eager to have the outstanding issues settled.

 

"Our most important one is our extended work hours. Doctors do not work over time, we do work extended work hours, which is something that is compulsory for us, and that is something that we have really placed at the forefront of our negotiations," she said.