JAs firefighters restive

The unions representing the country’s fire fighters have given the management at the fire brigade with a 14-day ultimatum to respond to a shortage of workers in the organisation.



The firefighters have raised concerns over the long hours, which they are required to work.



They said the brigade is faced with an extreme shortage of workers and that some firefighters are required to work for between 16 and 24 hours daily.



The union wants the management of the brigade to move quickly to address the shortage.



According to the unions the workers are very restive and normality cannot be guaranteed if the problem is not addressed soon.



The unions said workers are no longer prepared to accept the explanation by the brigade that the slow pace of the procurement process has delayed the commencement of recruit training.



The workers are represented by the University and Allied Workers Union, National Workers Union and the Jamaica Association of Local Government Officers.