J Wray protest still on

The union representing workers at J. Wray and Nephew has sought the Labour Ministry’s intervention in a dispute with the company’s management.



Deputy Island Supervisor of the Union of Clerical, Administrative and Supervisory Employees (UCASE), Granville Valentine, says the Labour Minister Pearnel Charles agreed to a meeting for 1:00 p.m. today.



He says the meeting has not yet been confirmed, as the company’s management seems reluctant to meet with the union.



The workers have been picketing the company’s Spanish Town Road offices since early this morning.



They have been upset since Thursday when 46 of their colleagues were sent home.



UCASE has since accused the company of union busting.



General Manager of the Corporate Affairs at J Wray and Nephew, Greta Bouges, says the redundancy exercise was carried out in an effort to cut costs.



Mr Valentine is disputing the company’s claims.



He says several meetings to resolve the issue have been unsuccessful.