JACKSON
THERE ARE indications that plans for the signing this week of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government and public sector workers could be stalled.
The current agreement expires on Friday, but some members of the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU) have expressed reservations about signing a new MoU.
Among the unions expressing reservations about a new agreement are the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union, the National Workers' Union, the Nurses' Association of Jamaica and the Jamaica Teachers' Association.
It is further understood that some union leaders are upset that information concerning the provisions of a new agreement were only received from the Government last Friday.
However, State Minister for Finance Fitz Jackson is hopeful that discussions for a second public sector MoU can be concluded this week.
The Government has promised that the new MoU will not comprise a wage freeze component.
According to Mr. Jackson, the second MoU will form the basis for a new public sector wage policy.
"We have tentatively arrived at some understanding that would provide for salary and wage increases as of April 1 this year," he said.
According to Mr. Jackson, the ministry is still awaiting a response from the JCTU on the new document.
WAGE DECREASE
Speaking on 'Good Evening Jamaica' on Power 106 FM yesterday, Mr. Jackson confirmed that in the absence of a new agreement, public sector workers could find themselves earning less than they had been during the current MoU term.
"The MoU allowance is a legal arrangement that expires at the end of this month and if there is no agreement in place, the wage levels that obtained before will come into effect as of the first of April," he noted.
A board meeting of the JCTU has been scheduled for next Wednesday, at which time a decision is to be made regarding the provisions and signing of a new agreement.
