UAWU withdraws from JCTU in protest against signing of new wage agreement

 

A major row has erupted in the Jamaica Confederation of  Trade Unions (JCTU) following its decision to sign a four-year public sector wage deal and accusations that it has not acted in the best interest of Government paid workers.

 

The University and Allied Workers Union (UAWU) has confirmed a report carried by RJR News that it has temporarily withdrawn from the Confederation.

 

This follows an emergency meeting on Monday with officials of the JCTU to discuss the union's concerns about the signing of the wage deal on February 13. The union has accused the Confederation of signing prematurely.

 

The four-year contract provides for five per cent increase in basic pay in year one, two per cent in year two, four per cent in the third year, and five per cent in year four.

 

Clifton Grant, First Vice President of the UAWU,  told RJR News that the wage agreement was inadequate, especially for workers at the bottom of the scale. He noted that some will only be getting a $600 per week increase while it should be no less than a $1,000.

 

He said he was particularly upset about the fact that the adjustments to fringe benefits were "very miniscule," given that the the contract period had been doubled.

 

Helene Davis White, President of the JCTU, last weekend dismissed claims that it signed the wage agreement with the government while ignoring its members' concerns.

 

Mr. Grant said the full Executive of the union will be briefed on the decision to suspend membership in the JCTU, after which the Confederation will hear further from the union.

 

"We are very upset with what took place, because having been in discussion with the (JCTU) president up to 4 o'clock on Tuesday,  to learn Thursday morning, after a (public) holiday, that a contract was signed, we think that something went awry, and we can't sit back and remain silent in terms of our responsibility to our members," he declared.