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Tuesday, 12 August 2008
A major dispute involving the island's tanker drivers and haulage contractors is threatening to disrupt the local retail petroleum trade.
The National Workers Union (NWU) which represents the drivers said it cannot guarantee normality in the trade as of Tuesday as it has received several complaints from tanker drivers.
The drivers claim that they have not been receiving certain wage and fringe benefits as several petroleum haulage contractors have failed to fulfil a wage and fringe benefits agreement.
"Many of the workers are complaining bitterly that they receive their salaries, sometimes six to eight weeks late ... in some instances two to three months late ... which is unfortunate.
There are some outstanding issues in Montego Bay (St. James) as it relates to two other contractors who are taking monies from the drivers pay without any authorization," said NWU Vice President Granville Valentine.
He is calling for the immediate intervention of Energy Minister Clive Mullings to stave off an islandwide strike by tanker drivers and said if there is no response there will be trouble in the petroleum trade.
"We will avail ourselves to try and reach some deal so our workers can get their due as it relates to some form of justice," said Mr. Valentine.
When RJR News contacted Energy Minister Clive Mullings Monday night he said he had not been informed of the dispute.
A major dispute involving the island's tanker drivers and haulage contractors is threatening to disrupt the local retail petroleum trade.
The National Workers Union (NWU) which represents the drivers said it cannot guarantee normality in the trade as of Tuesday as it has received several complaints from tanker drivers.
The drivers claim that they have not been receiving certain wage and fringe benefits as several petroleum haulage contractors have failed to fulfil a wage and fringe benefits agreement.
"Many of the workers are complaining bitterly that they receive their salaries, sometimes six to eight weeks late ... in some instances two to three months late ... which is unfortunate.
There are some outstanding issues in Montego Bay (St. James) as it relates to two other contractors who are taking monies from the drivers pay without any authorization," said NWU Vice President Granville Valentine.
He is calling for the immediate intervention of Energy Minister Clive Mullings to stave off an islandwide strike by tanker drivers and said if there is no response there will be trouble in the petroleum trade.
"We will avail ourselves to try and reach some deal so our workers can get their due as it relates to some form of justice," said Mr. Valentine.
When RJR News contacted Energy Minister Clive Mullings Monday night he said he had not been informed of the dispute.