Unions to meet with ALPART

A meeting is scheduled for tomorrow morning between the management of Alumina Partners of Jamaica (ALPART) and unions representing workers there.



The meeting comes after yesterday’s news that the company will temporarily shut down for a year as of next month.



About 900 workers are to lose their jobs as a result of the closure.



General Secretary of the Union of Technical, Administrative and Supervisory Personnel, UTASP, St. Patrice Ennis said the meeting is aimed at discussing issues such as redundancy payments and other benefits:



Managing Director of ALPART Albert Fabrini had earlier sought to assure that ALPART will meet its obligations to employees and communities in a timely manner.



Mr. Ennis said he’s disappointed that the Task Force set up to deal with the bauxite sector did not discuss the company’s closure before the announcement was made.



He said the task force had only met once and had not specifically discussed matters relating to ALPART.



President of the National Workers Union (NWU), Vincent Morrison, said he too is dissatisfied.



ALPART has cited a weakening demand for alumina as one of the factors leading to the closure.



It says the temporary shutdown will allow the plant to be prepared for future developments that may see the industry emerge from the present situation.



The suspension of operations will begin on May 15.