Four Public Sector Groups Accept Gov’t’s Pay Offer

KINGSTON — Four of the nine public sector groups engaged in negotiation with the Government on implementation of the delayed seven percent pay increase, and the retroactive payments, have agreed to the Government’s latest offers for a settlement.

This was revealed in a press release issued Monday by the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service.

According to the release from the ministry:

“Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Senator Arthur

Williams, says that he has received from four (4) of the nine (9) public sector groups, confirmation of their acceptance of the Government’s offer to settle the 7% wage increase issue, which has been the subject of negotiations over the past several weeks.

“Senator Williams said that the: Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions; Police Officers Association; Island Special Constabulary Force Officers Association; and Island Special Constabulary Force Association (Rank and File), have confirmed their acceptance of the offer.

“Senator Williams said that he has been formally advised by four (4) of the remaining five (5) groups – Jamaica Teachers’ Association, Jamaica Medical Doctors’ Association, Police Federation and the United United District Constables Association, that they are still consulting with their membership islandwide and are obliged to do so, in conformity with the constitution of their respective associations.

“Senator Williams said that he was advised by these groups that the time, between the meeting (with him) last Thursday evening and now, did not allow them to complete their meetings, as provided for in their constitutions and to respond by today.

“He said further that he was advised that, up to the time of his statement, the Nurses

Association of Jamaica was still in their meeting called for Monday June 21.

“Senator Williams confirmed that the offer by the Government is to pay the seven percent wage increase in the following manner:

1. Institute the wage increase on the regular payday in September, 2011;

2. Of the five months retroactive amount for April to August, 2011, to pay one month’s salary with the September payment and four month’s salary in December, 2011;

3. Pay the outstanding amounts for the two years – 2009 to 2010 and 2010 to 2011 totalling $21.1B, in five equal instalments of $4.22B in May and October, 2012 May and October, 2013 and May, 2014.

“The State Minister said that, even while awaiting word from the other groups, he wishes to thank the public sector workers for their patience and understanding of the difficulties which faced the country and which resulted in the wage increase not being instituted before now.

“Senator Williams is asking for the continued co-operation of public sector workers, as the Public Sector Monitoring Committee must now move immediately to discuss a number of public sector reform issues, which are of critical importance to the country’s continued relationship with the International Monetary Fund”.

By Balford Henry, JIS Reporter & Editor