KINGSTON, Jamaica — Petroleum marketing company RUBiS Energy Jamaica says it has no plans to resile from its stance not to involve the Jamaica Gasolene Retailers Association (JGRA) in contract negotiations with its own dealers.

“Our position is that we will not engage in collective negotiations for all dealers. A dealer is free, however, to be represented by an attorney, JGRA or any other person if he so chooses, but we are not obliged to, nor do we intend to, engage in collective negotiations with JGRA or any other person,” the company told OBSERVER ONLINE today

The JGRA has threatened to take action that could result in disruption in the sector if there is no resolution to the disagreement.

RUBiS maintains that dealers are not “workers” but are private, business persons and that the circumstances of each dealer and of each service station vary.

“We are therefore prepared to discuss matters of clarification/concern with each dealer, but we are not prepared to engage in collective commercial negotiations as suggested by JGRA,” the company said.

The JGRA has suggested that some dealers signed the new contentious contracts unwillingly, but RUBiS pointed out that “a dealer will sign when negotiations are completed and they are pleased the final contract serves our mutual business interests. A number of dealers have already concluded negotiations, have signed and are pleased with the results”.

Furthermore, the company noted all of the operations in question relate to RUBiS-owned service stations – inclusive of properties/plants/building/equipment.

The fuss over the contracts started close to two years ago. At the time, then minister Phillip Paulwell intervened in a series of meetings between the ministry, JGRA and RUBiS.

The JGRA has again called on the energy minister, Dr Andrew Wheatley, to intervene in this latest row between itself and the marketing company.

Alphea Saunders