Thu | Mar 28, 2024

Brace for power cuts as JPS workers continue protest

Published:Tuesday | October 9, 2018 | 12:00 AM
The JPS says many of the protesting employees work in critical areas of its operations, including the power plants.

The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) is reporting that some people may be out of power today because of industrial action by more than 200 employees.

It also said there may be delays in responding to customers' requests.

The protesting employees, represented by the Union of Clerical Administrative and Supervisory Employees (UCASE), have been calling in sick since Sunday night.

The JPS says many of these employees work in critical areas of its operations, including the power plants.

"Despite a meeting at the Ministry of Labour Monday afternoon, employees have continued to stay off the job, with many calling in sick and not reporting for the night shift on Monday, or the day shift today," a JPS spokesperson said in a release.

JPS says its managers and other team members have been keeping the operations running, but can no longer guarantee normalcy.

"The company is anticipating that the situation could deteriorate further if the sick-out continues, and is therefore asking customers to be patient, as it seeks an early resolution to the outstanding issues," the spokesperson said.

Another meeting is scheduled for today at the Ministry of Labour.

However, UCASE is warning that it will not be a part of the discussions if the JPS representatives are not authorised to make decisions.

The JPS workers are protesting a proposed performance-based incentive pogramme and the withdrawal of the electricity discount discretionary benefit to pensioners.

The company said discussions on the incentive programme started in 2015, but its proposal has not been accepted by the unions.

It also said, more than five years ago, the unions were advised of the impending withdrawal of the discretionary benefit for pensioners.

That matter is now with the Industrial Disputes Tribunal.

We want to hear from you! Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169, email us at editors@gleanerjm.com or onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com.