KINGSTON, Jamaica — Improvements in the employers’ offers on several items included in the wage claims submitted by the trade unions on behalf of sugar industry workers, have raised hopes of a settlement by week-end.

“There is an understanding on most items, we have moved much closer to a settlement and we expect an agreement on Thursday,” assistant island supervisor for the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU), Harold Brown, said Monday night.

Brown’s comments followed another round of talks at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, between the Sugar Producers Federation (SPF), representing the employers, and the three unions representing the sugar workers — the BITU, the National Workers Union (NWU) and the University and Allied Workers Union (UAWU).

 The parties have been anxious to reach an agreement on wage and fringe benefits proposals for the past month, but the workers have been insisting on settlement of number of sub-issues in their 27-point claim, which have blocked an agreement. 

Monday’s meeting followed a week of consultations between the unions and the workers at the various factories and estates.

These issues include the realignment of wages to maintain differentials which existed prior to the recent increase in new national minimum wage; the unions’ demand for a job evaluation and reclassification exercise during the life of the new contract; as well as their claim for standardised rates throughout the industry.

Thursday’s meeting will be held at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and will commence at 10:00 am.

Balford Henry