KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited, (JUTC) has written to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security requesting a back-to-work order.

The request which was made late this morning follows the decision of the company’s drivers to withdraw their service during rush hour Wednesday, a move that left hundreds of commuters stranded.

The drivers, who are protesting for better pay, continued their strike action today. They are dissatisfied with their salary following the recently-signed new compensation agreement.

READ: JUTC drivers remain off the job

Corporate Communications Manager at the JUTC, Cecil Thomas, said the employees are represented by the University and Allied Workers Union, UAWU, which signed a Heads of Agreement on their behalf on March 1.

“All salaries were paid in line with the Heads of Agreement,” Thoms said.

Thoms also noted that the strike action taken by drivers is a breach of the Labour Relations and Industrial Disputes Act.

“The JUTC provides an essential service and the strike action resulted in significant inconvenience to the public,” Thoms acknowledged.

Meanwhile, the JUTC’s management has apologised for the disruption of service and the inconvenience it has caused and says it will continue to update the public.