JPSco workers resumes work

Employees of the Jamaica Public Service Company Limited returned to work last night starting with the 8 p.m. shift.



This followed an agreement involving the unions, JPS and Minister of Labour, Pearnel Charles, at Jamaica House yesterday.



Company officials have agreed to meet with the Consultants that had been working on the Job Evaluation and Compensation Review project to facilitate continuation of discussions.



On the weekend, JPS charged that it had lost confidence in the consultants.



The company explained that the consultants presented JPS with revised figures representing an increase of 100 percent without providing an explanation.



The figures were submitted as part of the Job Evaluation and Compensation Review Exercise.



The companies, Trevor Hamilton and Associates and Focalpoint Consulting Limited, were issued with termination letters on Friday.



However, the union demanded their reinstatement.



Yesterday’s meeting precedes another expected tomorrow with all stakeholders to arrive at an early resolution to the matter.



In the meantime, the Jamaica Public Service Company has reiterated its commitment to make payments to employees during the month of May.



JPS President and CEO, Damian Obiglio said the company has been making provisions for the payment of approximately $2 billion to employees.



He said the payment was in line with the original calculations by the Consultants submitted in a report in November last year.



As a result of the strike action taken by JPSco workers, customers in sections of St. Catherine, St. Ann and St. James were left without their regular electricity supply for most of Saturday and early Sunday morning.