Staff members of the Westmoreland Cooperative Credit Union walked off the job on New Year's Eve to show their disapproval after being informed that they would not be getting any end-of-year bonus. - Contributed
Credit union workers strike
WESTMORELAND:
Over 30 workers representing the head office and four branches of the Westmoreland Cooperative Credit Union walked off the job on New Year's Day, saying they were not paid any end-of-year bonus.
The workers made the move at about mid-day when the offices were clogged with long lines of members trying to conduct business.
They decided that despite members being inconvenienced the directors had to be sent a clear message.
The staff members claim they were called upon several times throughout the year to take active part in promotional activities and other items of the agenda for the year. They claim the responsibilities were even greater this year since a heavy schedule was planned to commemorate the 60th anniversary celebrations in 2007.
The workers stood outside the head office on Great George Street in Savanna-la-Mar holding up placards to show their disgust.
- Contributed
Road accident claims life
KEMPS HILL, CLARENDON:
Sixty-five-year-old Nemiah Brown, cane-cutter of Kemps Hill, Claren-don, becomes the first reported traffic fatality in Clarendon when he was hit off his pedal cycle along the Kemps Hill main road on New Year's Day.
According to police reports, about 5:30 p.m. a white Mitsubishi Pajero with registration plates 7604EX was travelling in a southerly direction along the Kemps Hill main road when, on reaching a section of the road, a pedal cyclist, travelling in the same direction suddenly turned into the path of the Pajero and was hit.
The cyclist, Mr. Brown, sustained injuries and was rushed to the nearby Lionel Town Hospital, where he died.
The driver of the Pajero has not been charged, as the Exeter police are investigating the circumstances under which Mr. Brown was hit.
- Dwight Nelson
Accompong to mark peace treaty
ST. ELIZABETH:
On Sunday, January 6, residents of the Maroon community of Accompong in St. Elizabeth, as well as persons from across the island, will gather for the annual celebration, marking Captain Cudjo's birthday and the 270th year of the signing of the peace treaty with Britain.
Colonel Sydney Peddie, head of the Maroon Council, said the 270th anniversary would be special this time around and that visitors are being encouraged to arrive early on January 6.
The Colonel said that the first item on the agenda would be a gathering under the Kinda Tree, where unsalted pork is prepared for the feeding of those present as well as the ancestors at Old Town.
Mr. Peddie explained that after that ceremony, "true-born Maroons" would make a sacred pilgrimage down to Old Town, which was the location of the first village set up by Captain Accompong, Cudjo's brother, to feed the ancestral spirits.
- JIS
No jobs for the disabled
ST. CATHERINE:
Despite training and certification, the employment rate of the disabled continues to be low.
Managing director of the Abilities Foundation, Grace Taylor, said this was so because in the wider society there was a lack of awareness about persons with disabilities.
The Abilities Foundation is a safe haven for persons with disabilities, a place where they can feel loved and accepted. The organisation has so far certified just over 1,000 persons since its inception in 1992.
The foundation offers training in five areas, including garment construction, housekeeping, furniture-making, data operations and ornamental horticulture and landscaping.
At this stage, Ms. Taylor says the foundation can do much more, but is in dire need of financial support.
"The programme needs a lot more support and we would be able to do a lot more for them if we had more financial support. That is always a struggle," she said.
- JIS
Some residents of the St. Ann Infirmary enjoy their Christmas dinner which was sponsored by international reggae singer Burning Spear. For the last three years, Burning Spear has been sponsoring the dinner for the over 120 residents of the institution. Last year's christmas dinner include rice and peas with chicken, curried goat, fish, mannish water, vegetable salad and sorrel. The St. Ann infirmary was adopted by Burning Spear in 2005 and he has been assisting the institution with much needed equipment. - photo by Devon Evans
