KINGSTON, Jamaica — The National Workers’ Union (NWU) says it has recently gained bargaining rights at Kingston Wharves for certain categories of workers engaged to Newport Stevedoring Services Limited (NSSL).

The categories include car drivers, stevedores and stacker operators, numbering approximately 350 workers.

The NWU and NSSL have since negotiated and signed a three-year Heads of Agreement which guarantees the workers a salary increase of six per cent in year one, 6.5 per cent in year two and 6.5 per cent in year three of the contract.

According to the union, the agreement also includes other benefits which the workers did not have prior to its representation, such as a pension fund, group life insurance, health insurance, lunch subsidy and laundry allowance.

The NWU thanked the workers for putting their confidence in the union and said it takes the mandate seriously.

It added that it will continue to work assiduously to promote the rights and welfare of all workers.