THE Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU) is requesting that the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) regularise the employment status of elderly workers performing task labour duties for the agency.

In a statement shared with the Jamaica Observer, vice-president of the BITU Rudolph Thomas disclosed that most persons have been working with the agency for more than 30 years and have not been offered a staff position. This, despite these individuals having to work on a regular basis.

Thomas revealed that this particular situation is taking place at the UDC properties at Roaring River and Melvin Park in the parish of St. Ann.

He explained that the workers feel forgotten, most of whom are now well past the age of retirement.

“The union and its delegates have continuously sought to have these stalwarts of Roaring River and Melvin Park regularised where they are treated no less than their peers who are on staff, but successive UDC administrations have failed to complete same. It is a shame that any worker attached in any way to the Government of Jamaica could be treated like this; they keep slipping through the cracks,” the trade unionist bemoaned.

In the statement shared with the Business Observer, Thomas pointed out that the workers used to take care of cows that were on the property. However, after the UDC took over operation the cows were sold in 2009 and these workers were used to maintain the properties at Roaring River and Melvin Park (de-bushing).

Thomas admitted that the management of the UDC had an initial discussion with the workers about redundancy, however, no one came back to them regarding it since.

The Business Observer spoke with Desmond Lennon, a 73-year-old man who’s worked on the property for 40 years.

When quizzed about his current duties Lennon said, “We go out in the field and whatever area is bushy, we go and clean it. As soon as it grows and needs to be bushed, out we go and get it done.”

He explained that he started working at the property in the early 1990s after being invited by a man who is now deceased. Since then he has continued working on the property, reporting to man he referred to as “the boss man” who he said is responsible for the debushing work being done.

He noted that the status of his employment is still unclear since he hasn’t been offered a formal contract.

“To be honest, we don’t sign any paper; they don’t bring in any form of paper for us to sign,” he stated.

“There was a lady — I don’t think she’s with the UDC anymore — but she always mention to the boss that these men that he has working with him should be on staff. But he’s always been telling us that UDC don’t have no money!” Lennon continued.

He said for about four decades he has worked regularly at the UDC property and collects a salary of about $14,000 fortnightly.

“Based on their earnings now, it is quite a challenge for them as they have their family to support. Of note, the company has employed younger men in recent times, placing them on staff and paying them at a higher rate than the long-standing gentlemen. Also, one of the gentlemen working on contract was in an accident on the job where his leg is broken — and all that medical expense was left with him to bare,” Thomas told the Business Observer.

Another worker, Garfield Lawson who is 60 years old and works as a tractor driver at the property, attested to the claims being made.

He said he is on staff but indicated that there are several of his co-workers who do task labour regularly but are not on staff.

When quizzed about how he became a staff member, Lawson said he applied for the job several years ago.

The BITU held a meeting at Dunn’s River Falls on August 31, 2022 with UDC to discuss the concerns raised by the workers.

Key among the discussion points were salaries being way below par, no health benefits, and no pension is to be received after retirement by most of them.

“When I think of the conversations I have had with and in relation to these workers, I often pause to remember names like Bellyful, Goosey, Gurry, Huzby, Night Food, Peckwood and Wood Root … fond names given to those who would have toiled along with these few remaining ‘good men’, with bent backs and slashing cutlasses, who have simply died while the union pled their cause,” he continued.

The BITU said its intention is to have these workers normalised as employees, officially, wherein they are able to access the benefits to which their peers have access. The union said they have been denied these benefits for decades.

Furthermore, whereas there may be workers who are desirous of resting the machete, the BITU is pleading that they be able to do so without malice and receive payments commensurate with their tenure.

Similarly, whereas there are those who do not desire to separate immediately, the BITU is lobbying that they be allowed to do so under terms discussed and agreed with the union. The BITU stressed that they should not be forcibly separated.

“It’s unfair, and while we applaud the UDC for more recent employments of similar categories of workers on significantly improved terms and conditions, the loyal workers of Roaring River and Melvin Park must no longer be forgotten,” Thomas insisted.

The UDC has promised to provide a response to the claims but up to press time no response was forthcoming.