JPS to pay workers

The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) has agreed to pay workers $2.3 billion for the 2001 to 2007 period.



The agreement was reached during a meeting yesterday involving representatives from the labour ministry, the JPS and unions.



The $2.3 billion payment is based on the Job Evaluation and reclassification exercise conducted by Trevor Hamilton and Associates, and FocalPoint Consulting Limited.



It is expected that current employees will receive payment by May 30, while former employees will receive payment by June 30.



The parties have also agreed that the company will cover statutory deductions and other costs associated with the exercise.



President Emeritus of the National workers’ Union (NWU), Clive Dobson said a schedule of activities for completion of the job evaluation exercise was also outlined.



Mr. Dobson adds that an administrative committee will begin meeting today to continue discussions on outstanding issues.



Some workers took strike action over the weekend after the JPS dismissed the consulting firms claiming it no longer had confidence in them.



However, JPS later agreed to allow the consultants to continue the job evaluation exercise.



The exercise is in keeping with a Court of Appeal ruling, which ordered that the company abide by a 2003 salary structure outlined by the Industrial Disputes Tribunal.