NWA, JCSA Set May 26 Talks Over Worker Pay, Restructuring Concerns

The National Works Agency and the Jamaica Civil Service Association are scheduled to sit down next Tuesday, May 26, for talks on several issues brought forward by employees.

The union has, in the meantime, called on its members to report for duty today while discussions are awaited with NWA management and the Ministry of Finance.

On Tuesday, the JCSA said workers had signalled that they were prepared to pull their labour unless quick steps were taken on long-running matters tied to staff restructuring and reclassification.

The issues were raised by roughly 78 employees. They include pay discrepancies, the placement of technical officers, outstanding eligible allowances, vacation leave concerns, and what workers say has been inadequate consultation by management on the restructuring exercise.

Employees have also questioned how secure their jobs will be under the proposed creation of the One Road Authority and the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority, NaRRA.

In an update issued yesterday, the JCSA said NWA management had made contact with the association, leading to the May 26 meeting being arranged.

The association has urged members to dress in black next Tuesday to show unity as it continues pressing for the matters affecting workers to be dealt with urgently.

The JCSA said it is still pursuing dialogue aimed at a fair, open and even-handed outcome for all affected employees.

Works Minister Robert Morgan, meanwhile, has given an assurance that steps are being taken to settle the dispute.