14-day ultimatum served to UC Rusal Alumina Jamaica, says UCASE

UCASE, the Union of Clerical, Administrative and Supervisory Employees said that it has served a 14-day ultimatum to the management of UC Rusal Alumina Jamaica Limited post negotiations with the company became motionless.

As per the statement from UCASE, the bauxite mining company on 10^th March 2021 refused to address the 27 points listed in a claim that was served to the company on October’ 20.

The Moscow, Russia headquartered UC Rusal is one of the largest processors of bauxite, alumina, aluminium and UC Rusal Alumina Jamaica Limited is its subsidiary.

UCASE said: “The claim was served on behalf of 600 production workers at the company's mining and alumina processing facilities at Ewarton Works, Swallenberg, Port Esquivel and Kirkvine and is retroactive to 4^th November 2019 and is due for expiration 3^rd November 2021.”

“On 10^th March 2021 meeting, the union indicated to the company that it is prepared to make certain concessions on several items of claims.”

“However, the union cannot compromise the worker's position on matters such as wages, the non-payment of public holidays, the non-payment of overtime pay,” it added.

“Other issues include fixed-term contacts, which the workers have been under since 2010, no provision for pension scheme benefits, no payment of sick leave to certain categories of workers, no provision of medical coverage to certain categories of workers and the company's general disregard of the decent work agenda,” the union said.