Government, unions to bury the hatchet

The Government and trade unions representing public-sector employees have agreed on measures designed to end the almost constant bickering that has marred the industrial relations scene over the past two years.

The reintroduction of a monitoring committee operating out of the Ministry of Finance was one of the measures the two sides agreed on at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Bruce Golding on Wednesday.

The Government also gave the unions a commitment that moves such as the wage freeze, unilaterally imposed last year, would not be repeated without prior consultation.

Following what was described as a frank and open meeting at Jamaica House, Labour Minister Pearnel Charles and Wayne Jones, general secretary of the Joint Confederation of Trade Unions, told The Gleaner that both parties were satisfied with the discussions and hopeful that the measures to be implemented will improve workforce relations.