The Government and the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU) concluded negotiations on outstanding matters under the public sector compensation restructuring programme late Thursday evening, bringing to an end a burning matter that had been kicked down the road by successive administrations for years.

Both the finance ministry and JCTU hailed the agreement as “a significant milestone” and exchanged kudos on the determination of both sides to reach an agreement.

“The mutual achievement, on behalf of diligent and hard-working public sector workers who continue to contribute to the advancement of Jamaica, is highly significant,” Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke said in a news release Friday afternoon.

“This agreement complements the compensation restructuring agreement signed two years ago, and which was implemented over the period 2022/23 to 2024/25, and restructures conditions of service including compensation for extra hours worked, among other conditions of service,” Clarke added.

“Though these negotiations have required many rounds of discussions which have taken many months, and have been challenging and difficult at times, they have always been conducted professionally and respectfully. It took tremendous determination on the part of both parties and a solution-oriented atmosphere where concerns of both parties could be aired and addressed,” the minister said.

He expressed gratitude and appreciation to JCTU President St Patrice Ennis “for his determined leadership”, JCTU vice-presidents Techa Clarke-Griffiths and Granville Valentine, as well as JCTU board members Lambert Brown, Kavan Gayle, Clifton Grant and Dr Mark Nicely “for their collaborative, solution-oriented approach”.

Clarke also thanked his junior minister Zavia Mayne, financial secretary Darlene Morrison and Maria Thompson Walters of the ministry’s Transformation Unit for their support, as well as deputy financial secretary Wayne Jones and his team in the ministry’s Strategic Human Resource Department for their hard work, diligence, analysis and professionalism during the negotiations.

“This process has again shown our capacity as Jamaicans to continually improve our country through social dialogue, a capacity that is institutionalised in our structures and systems that will serve Jamaica for decades to come,” Clarke said. The JCTU, in its release, said the agreement has achieved a balance between the needs of the country and the welfare of workers.

“Although not all items on the agenda were fully realised, the best possible outcome was secured for all partners involved,” the JCTU said, adding that the final document will be shared with the members of the umbrella body and, by extension, the wider public service.

“We thank the members of the other unions from the JCTU for their confidence in the team and our members for their patience during this challenging process,” the group said and extended thanks to Minister Clarke “for his commitment, determination, and exemplary leadership throughout the negotiations”.

“His unwavering dedication to closing this chapter of his tenure with the ministry has been instrumental in reaching this final agreement,” the JCTU added.

The group also thanked deputy financial secretary Jones, saying that his “involvement, determination, commitment and resilience played a critical role in ensuring a successful conclusion to this aspect of the negotiations”.

Additionally, the JCTU thanked finance ministry staff “for their hard work and commitment during these extended negotiations”.

“It took tremendous resolve, compromise, and teamwork to bring us to this point. While the journey was difficult, the JCTU believes that the outcome is in the best interest of the country and the public sector workforce,” the JCTU said and promised that further updates and details will be provided as soon as the final signatory is obtained.