KINGSTON, Jamaica — Operations at the National Water Commission (NWC) should return to normality today following an agreement between the organisation and the unions representing its workers.

The agreement for full resumption of work starting with an 11 o’ clock shift last night was made during yesterday’s Emergency Conciliation Meeting, informed the Ministry of Labour and Social Security in a press release.

The parties also agreed to continue discussions at the ministry next Tuesday and Thursday.

The four unions representing NWC’s unionised staff – Jamaica Association of Local Government Officers, Bustamante Industrial Trade Union, the National Workers Union, and the Union of Private and Public Employees (formerly JUPOPE) – are demanding that the NWC management increase its offers on their claims for improvements in fringe benefits, including meal, boots and shoes allowances, which are still outstanding from the previous negotiations.

However, shortly before yesterday’s meeting at the ministry, workers padlocked gates to several NWC offices in protest over fringe benefits claims. The strike had resulted in a disruption in water supply in some areas.

The management of the NWC has since agreed to significantly improve the revolving loan scheme, and the parties will work together on a revamped productivity incentive scheme.

The Labour Ministry also said there will be review of several items including height pay; depth pay; discomfiture/hazard allowance; shoe allowance; and lunch subsidy.

There will be no victimisation on either side.