Dionne Rose, Staff ReporterTHE WAGE negotiations between the Government and the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU), on behalf of public sector workers, could stretch into another month.
The further delay in the negotiations became apparent yesterday when Finance Minister, Dr. Omar Davies told journalists that he was yet to receive a formal counter wage proposal from the JCTU on a new Public Sector Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
On Wednesday the JCTU, which had earlier rejected the government's 20 per cent wage offer made a counterproposal of an additional $4 billion in the first year and an across the board increase of 10 per cent in the second year of the MoU.
WANTS SETTLEMENT
But yesterday, when asked if this means that there will be no signing before the end of the month, Dr. Davies said: "I want a settlement as soon as possible, we were talking about an agreement, which would take effect on April 1. I am a patient person," he said.
"I have indicated that we were in dialogue, the JCTU and its membership have indicated that they are having difficulties, they have not formally communicated with us".
Dr. Davies maintained that the government's 20 per cent wage increase proposal came out of discussions with the trade unions.
"The percentages, which you have heard about because we have never formally stated anything, Mr. (Fitz) Jackson and myself did not retreat in a corner and come up with them as offers," he said.
When contacted yesterday, vice-president of the JCTU, Danny Roberts, said that the counterproposal would be forwarded by the end of the day (yesterday).
