JGRA dispute settled
Published:Monday | January 26, 2009 | 5:03 PM
The Jamaica Gasolene Retailers Association (JGRA) has signed a new wage agreement with service station attendants, bringing an end to a dispute over wage benefits.
Under the new two-year contract the country’s nearly two thousand pump attendants will receive a 10 per cent increase in the first year and another 10 per cent in year two.
Employees working the 10pm to 6am shift will also benefit from a seven per cent shift premium.
President of the National Workers\' Union (NWU), Vincent Morrison said the agreement is timely given the hardships many workers are facing as a result of the current economic climate.
The President of the JGRA, Trevor Barnes said there could be no guarantee that the agreed wage increases will not trigger job cuts.
Mr. Barnes said while oil prices are down to their lowest levels in years, some gasolene retailers have been reducing the work hours of their employees in an effort to reduce staff costs.
The contract covers the period October 1, 2008 to September 30, 2010.