Jamaica
This article was added by the user . TheWorldNews is not responsible for the content of the platform.

Meeting underway at the Ministry of Labour to end strike action by JUTC bus drivers

The union representing JUTC bus drivers and the management of the state-owned bus company are locked in a meeting at the Ministry of Labour in a bid to end the strike action by the drivers.

The Ministry called the meeting after receiving a letter from the Jamaica Urban Transit Company, requesting a back to work order for the drivers who have been off the job since yesterday.

The disgruntled drivers are expressing dissatisfaction with what they say are discrepancies in their March salary under the compensation review programme.

In a statement this afternoon, the JUTC's management complained that the industrial action by the drivers is a breach of the Labour Relations and Industrial Disputes Act.

It says the JUTC provides an essential service and the protest has resulted in significant inconvenience to the public.

The bus company insists that all salaries were paid to the drivers in keeping with the Heads of Agreement.

In the meantime, First Vice President of the University and Allied Workers Union Clifton Grant says the JUTC drivers are likely to keep up their protest action if no solution is forthcoming. 

The disgruntled drivers have vowed that they will not return to work until the discrepancies in their salary is remedied.

In an interview with Radio Jamaica News, drivers attached to the Spanish Town depot argued that they are being grossly underpaid under the new salary structure and vowed to continue their protest action. The drivers also blasted their unions for signing the new wage package without consulting with them