A senior member of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU) has served notice that the increase in bus fares will factor into the next round of public sector wage negotiations with the Government of Jamaica. Those negotiations are due to start April next year when the three-year wage freeze ends.
Wesley Nelson, Senior Vice President of the BITU, speaking with RJR News on Thursday morning, said the government will have to determine how the increased fares, announced on Wednesday, will be accommodated in the negotiations.
"The workers are under pressure, and the government is digging its own grave when they treat poor people like that," he said.
He ended with an ominous warning: "May God help them (the government) when we meet round the table, because all these will have to factor in the wage negotiations."
He also asserted that another wage freeze will not be accepted for the 2015/2016 contract period. Public sector workers "have suffered immensely; they can't afford to provide a decent quality of life for their families," he said.
Accordingly, he said it the trade unions had an obligation to represent their cause "in a cordial but forceful way" in the negotiations.
Transport Minister Dr. Omar Davies, responding to the concerns of the public sector unions, has said that Horace Dalley, Minister with Responsibility for the Public Service, will have to meet with the unions to discuss the impact of the fare increase.
According to Dr. Davies said there are certain understandings and agreements under the existing wage freeze which are relevant to changes in the cost of living.
Effective Sunday, the fare for adult passengers will increase to 120 dollars. Children, students and the disabled will pay 30 dollars, while senior citizens will pay 60 dollars.
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