Jacqueline Coke-Lloyd, executive director of the Jamaica Employers Federation. - FILE
THE JAMAICA Employers' Federation (JEF) says hourly-paid workers at Aluminum Partners of Jamaica (Alpart) represented by the National Workers' Union (NWU) must stop their industrial action.
There are established industrial relation procedures supported by appropriate machinery and guiding regulations for resolving industrial disputes, a statement issued by JEF executive director Jacqueline Coke-Lloyd said yesterday.
SALARY IMPASSE
The current impasse over local level wage talks for the contract period starting in January of this year between the workers represented by the NWU and Alpart broke down at the local level. A three-day strike notice was served on February 2, to expire on February 5.
The talks broke down and the matter referred to the Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT). In these circumstances, while a strike notice was in effect, the IDT, can order that industrial action cease.
"While we are aware that there are some concerns as to whether or not the order was effectively served," the JSE stated, "to date, the strike is still in progress and all parties are fully aware of the order and its implication. We therefore demand that the union respect the role and functions of our dispute resolution machinery."
COME TO BARGAINING TABLE
The fragile nature of Jamaica's economy simply cannot afford to allow for the manipulation of the industrial relations climate, it said.
"We maintain that all disputes must come to the bargaining table. The bauxite industry, and by extension, the Jamaica economy cannot afford the impact of a destabilised bauxite industry."
The JEF demanded that the trade unions adopt "a more responsible approach in managing conflicts." It said, "In addition, we are insisting that the leadership of the Joint Confederation of Trade Unions, of which the NWU is a member, take appropriate action against its members who flout the law, thereby jeopardising current business, future investments and jobs."
