NWA Workers Threaten Strike

 

The Jamaica Civil Service Association (JSCA) has issued a warning as staff at the National Works Agency (NWA) have grown impatient over unresolved workplace grievances.

JCSA President, Techa Clarke Griffiths is raising major concerns over salary anomalies and job security fears warning of potential industrial action. 

Clarke Griffiths said, “We met with the management team in 2023, following the compensation review. The staff would have raised some concerns. At that time, the CEO of the organisation was also impacted, and he was getting less pay than people he supervised. Clearly, he would have sorted out himself – but the staff at the NWA are still waiting.”

She said unresolved issues extend beyond basic salaries, impacting critical allowances, vacation leave entitlements, and job classifications. 

She pointed out that the affected staff includes the very frontline technical officers that braved the ravages of Hurricane Melissa. 

“We have received a response from the CEO of the agency that he is dealing with the matters. These matters should have been dealt with.”

Frustrated by management’s delay in scheduling an emergency meeting, dozens of workers have signed a document threatening a withdrawal of labour.

“If we get a letter with 78 signatories indicating that they are going to withdraw their service and therefore, they want urgent intervention. Clearly, the management doesn’t see the issues as urgent… no meeting was called, but a proposed date of the 26th of May for us to discuss the matter. I believe it is treating the workers with scant regard.  The workers are frustrated.”

The JSCA insists they remain open to formal dialogue but warns that until management takes their demands seriously, workers will remain restive.