JUTC to reinstate dismissed drivers after 1-month suspension
KINGSTON, Jamaica – The management of the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) has agreed to withdraw the termination letters issued to 11 bus drivers for them to be reinstated.
Speaking with OBSERVER ONLINE Tuesday afternoon, first vice-president of the University and Allied Workers Union (UAWU) Clifton Grant said the decision was reached after dialogue with representatives of the JUTC.
The dismissal of the 11 drivers sparked major protest action on August 5, after bus drivers from the Spanish Town depot went on strike.
At the time of the protest, Communications Manager of JUTC Reginald Allen declined to say why the drivers were dismissed but Grant had said the drivers were fired after they were accused of alleged SmarterCard irregularities.
Grant told OBSERVER ONLINE that since agreeing to rescind the drivers’ termination, the State-run bus company has since placed them on one months’ suspension. They are to resume work on September 15.
One of the bus drivers has since resigned.
