Union rejects public sector deal

Jerome Reynolds, Gleaner Writer

Another union representing public sector workers has rejected the government’s settlement package for the 2010-2012 contract period.

The United Unions of Jamaica, which represents some three thousand civil servants, said it declined to accept the deal as it believes more could have been offered to workers.

The government and some unions inked a heads of agreement which will see workers foregoing a wage increase in exchange for no massive layoffs and redundancies in the public sector.

The government has also offered some welfare items to civil servants such as, day care, canteen services and travel allowances for some categories of workers.

However, President of the United Unions of Jamaica, James Francis, said given the hardship facing public sector workers over recent years and the impact of the recent tax package, more needs to be offered to workers.

Francis said a special hardship allowance should be provided to workers and employees who have been working for years without being in permanent posts to be appointed so they have job security.

He said the union will be seeking a meeting with the government to discuss its concern.

The Jamaica Teachers’ Association and the Police Federation have also declined to sign the 2010-2012 Heads of Agreement.

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