Finance Minister Dr. Omar Davies gives a big hug to Edith Allwood-Anderson, president of the Nurses Association of Jamaica, during the signing of a salary and fringe benefits agreement yesterday. The nurses settled for a 24 per cent increase: 19 per cent in year one and five per cent in the second year. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

After months of intense negotiations, the Nurses Association of Jamaica (NAJ) yesterday signed a new salary and fringe benefits agreement with the Ministry of Finance and Planning for the 2006-2008 contract period.

"The response of the Govern-ment is a far cry from what the nursing sector requires. However, the NAJ is convinced that the Ministry of Finance has given us a response that provides the medium and has laid down the platform for us to proceed to the next level," said Edith Allwood-Anderson, president of the NAJ.

Speaking during the signing ceremony at the Finance Ministry's Heroes Circle head offices, Mrs. Allwood-Anderson said the nurses' union had signed the agreement in the interest of the country.

Hiccups

But the signing ceremony was not without hiccups. The Government did not address Level One nurses who have been delivering babies without any incentive. A peeved Mrs. Allwood-Anderson summoned Health Minister Horace Dalley and State Minster for Finance, Fitz Jackson, to a meeting and an agreement was reached to give Level One nurses an incentive of $3,000 per month.

Mrs. Allwood-Anderson said all bargaining groups should demonstrate responsibility and sign an agreement with Government because the nurses are worse off than any other public sector workers, but have settled in the ambit of the second Memorandum of Understanding.

The nurses have been at odds with Government over salaries and fringe benefits for several months. They have been pressing for an 80 per cent increase in the first year and 40 per cent in the second year, but the Government said it could not afford that proposal. The nurses settled for a 24 per cent increase: 19 per cent in year one and five per cent in the second year.

In addition to the salary increase:

The professional accessories and tailoring allowances will be increased;

Sessions (overtime) will be increased from two to three per week for registered nurses and mental health officers;

The reclassification of registered nurses will be implemented in July 2007

Meanwhile, Mr. Dalley told the gathering that there was no need for negotiations to take two years in a modern world.

"There is no need for groupings to drag out negotiations, hoping to get more," he said.

Other groups that are at odds with Government over salary and fringe benefits include teachers, doctors and the police.

Mr. Dalley said he hoped that yesterday's agreement would send a message to other groups, especially the medical doctors, to come forward and settle the salary impasse.

He told the nurses that they now have a commitment to ensure that the health sector remains efficient. He warned that doctors and nurses are to be at work when the are rostered to do so.

Current Yearly salaries for nurses

Level 10: $1,411,324-$1,677,621

Level 9: $1,226,236-$1,457,609

Level 8: $1,077,303-$1,280,575

Level 7: $965,480-$1,147,652

Level 6: $887,656-$1,055,144

Level 5: $865,589-$1,028,913

Level 4: $733,633-$872,059

Level 3: $653,316-$776,587

Level 2: $544,518-$647,261

Level 1: $405,078-$552,832

Salaries after 24 per cent increase

Level 10: $1,750,041-$2,080,250

Level 9: $1,520,532- $1,807,435

Level 8: $ $1,335,855- $1,587,913

Level 7: $1,197,195-$1,403,088

Level 6: $1,100,693-$1,308,378

Level 5: $$1,073,330-$1,275,852

Level 4: $900,704-$1,081,353

Level 3: $810,111-962,967

Level 2: $675,202-$802,690

Level 1: $502,296-$685,511.