Wage-deal signing deferred

Today's signing of an agreement over the seven per cent wage increase for public-sector workers for 2009-2010 to 2010-2011 has been put off, Prime Minister Bruce Golding announced yesterday.

Golding said the deferment was to facilitate consultations being carried out by the Jamaica Teachers' Association, the Nurses' Association of Jamaica and the Jamaica Medical Doctors' Association with their members over the weekend.

In a release from the Office of the Prime Minister, Golding said that after discussions with a number of the representative groups which have already accepted the Government's payment schedule, he decided that in keeping with the spirit of goodwill and the constructive engagement that has attended this latest round of negotiations, it was necessary to allow for the fullest consultation to take place among the remaining three groups.

The prime minister said he hoped this facilitation would have a positive impact on the groups in accepting the Government's proposal and appreciating the obligation of his administration "to exercise fiscal constraints if the country is to preserve the gains made so far in restoring the economy to a path on which we can guarantee sustained economic growth".

Trade groups appreciated

The release stated that Golding has extended his appreciation to the 15 trade organisations which have accepted the proposal so far - 11 of which are the major unions under the umbrella of the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions, as well as the Police Officers' Association, the Island Special Constabulary Force Officers' Association; Island Special Constabulary Force Association, (rank and file) and the United District Constables' Association. The prime minister urged the remaining groups, including the Police Federation, to take the appropriate decision which would allow them to take part at the signing.

The release did not state a new date for the signing of the agreement.