JPS is advising customers that there may be interruptions in service, and delays in responding to reports today, due to the continuation of industrial action by some of its employees.

More than 200 employees represented by the Union of Clerical Administrative and Supervisory Employees (UCASE) have been calling in sick since Sunday night (October 7). Many of these employees work in critical areas of the Company’s operations, including the power plants.

Despite a meeting at the Ministry of Labour Monday afternoon, employees have continued to stay off the job, with many calling in sick and not reporting for the night shift on Monday, or the day shift today. JPS Managers and other team members have been keeping the operations running, but can no longer guarantee normalcy.

The Company is anticipating that the situation could deteriorate further if the “sick-out” continues, and is therefore asking customers to be patient, as it seeks an early resolution to the outstanding issues. A follow-up meeting at the Ministry of Labour is scheduled for today.

It is believed that this “Sick-Out” is in protest of a proposed Performance Based Incentive Programme (PBIP), and the withdrawal of electricity discount discretionary benefit to Pensioners. Discussions on the PBIP started in 2015, but the Company’s proposal has not been accepted by the Unions. On the matter of the electricity discount to Pensioners, the Unions were advised more than five years ago of the impending withdrawal of the discretionary benefit, but are not in agreement with the Company’s decision. This matter is now with the Industrial Disputes Tribunal.