JUTC to lay off workers

236 workers employed to the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) are to be laid off today.



The bus company, which has been losing millions of dollars, said it plans to lay off up to 500 workers during this month.



200 customer service representatives from all the bus depots, as well as seven drivers and 19 bus cleaners from the Rockfort depot are among the first set of workers to be sent home.



The decision to lay off the workers has upset the University and Allied Workers Union (UAWU), which represents workers at the bus company.



Vice president at the UAWU, Clifton Grant, said the union was only informed on Wednesday that some workers would be laid off.



He said the decision by JUTC is not in keeping with good industrial relations practice.



Mr. Grant said he has written to the transport ministry and the labour ministry about the issue.



He said he has also requested a meeting with the management of the JUTC to discuss the pending lay offs.