THE threat of industrial action by dental surgeons in Jamaica’s public health sector has receded with news that they will begin to receive increased salaries and fringe benefits this month.

The Union of Clerical, Administrative and Supervisory Employees (UCASE), which represents the dental surgeons, last week demanded the immediate payment of retroactive salaries and the new salary rate to them.

The union said at the time that this demand was based on the terms outlined in a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed on October 8.

At the time, UCASE argued that the matter should be treated with the highest priority as the surgeons were restive.

According to UCASE President Vincent Morrison, he wrote to Finance Minister Fayval Williams expressing profound disappointment about the non-payment of the anticipated salary adjustments as agreed under the MOU.

Morrison said it had been expected that the new salary rates for the more than 100 dental surgeons would have been implemented and paid last month.

He warned that the dental surgeons were growing restive, and emphasised that the issue must be addressed urgently to avoid further dissatisfaction and erosion of morale.

On Monday, in a media release, Morrison said the union has been informed that dental surgeons will see the implementation of the salaries and fringe benefits packages shortly.

Morrison added that the union was advised by the Ministry of Finance that all the dental surgeons will be paid retroactive payments effective April 1, 2022.

The union leader expressed appreciation to the finance ministry for its decision to pay the dental surgeons expeditiously.