Anthony Dawkins (left) of the Union of Technical, Administrative and Supervisory Personnel raps with workers from the Jamalco bauxite plant in Hayes, Clarendon, yesterday. Independent contractors took industrial action on Monday. - IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
UP TO press time last night, Labour Minister Horace Dalley was meeting with union leaders and management representatives of Clarendon-based Jamalco alumina refinery in gruelling talks to avert the extended closure of the plant.
Mr. Dalley called the meeting yesterday afternoon in an attempt to resolve an impasse which began with the issuing of a strike notice by the Union of Technical, Administrative and Supervisory Personnel (UTASP) on behalf of individual contractors last Friday.
The action took effect on Monday, despite Jamalco advising UTASP that the strike notice was illegal because the union did not have representational rights for the contractors.
UTASP-represented workers at the plant have taken solidarity strike action. As a result of the industrial action, the company said yesterday, that it had "commenced curtailment of its operations, until further notice".
DUE PROCEDURE
Location Manager Albert Fabrini said the decision had been forced on Jamalco to "ensure the safety of the workforce, the surrounding communities and to protect the company's assets". The company said in a press statement that while it allowed for freedom of association, the legal process to attain representational rights should be followed.
Senator Dwight Nelson, president of the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions, participated in last night's talks at the Labour Ministry. Earlier yesterday he told The Gleaner/Power 106 News that he blamed the Government for the current dispute, which he believed stemmed from a decision years ago to accord the contract workers limited liability status.
