Government welcomes progress in pay dispute

KINGSTON — Minister with Responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz, has said that Prime Minister Bruce Golding’s recent Washington D.C. visit has “gone a far way” in advancing the directives he has given to the team negotiating with public sector unions.

Mr. Vaz, who was addressing journalists at Wednesday’s (June 22) Post Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, said he was hopeful that the matter will be resolved amicably.

“We really look forward to having this matter settled, and possibly some good relations going forward, in terms of the agreements that can be reached,” he asserted.

He said he was “optimistic” that the four public sector groups, which have not yet given the nod to the agreement, would do so, eventually.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Senator Arthur Williams, announced Tuesday (June 21) that a ceremony will be held at Jamaica House on Friday (June 24), for the signing of an agreement between the Government and public sector unions who have accepted its pay offer.

The Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions, the umbrella organisation for trade unions, the Police Officers Association, the Island Special Constabulary Force Officers Association, the Island Special Constabulary Force Association (Rank and File) and the United District Constables Association (UDCA) have already confirmed their acceptance of the offer.                

By ALPHEA SAUNDERS, JIS Reporter