Rusal's trade and production workers of its Jamaica facilities at Windalco, Port Esquivel, and Kirkvine have assured to report back to work when the business responds to claims granted by the Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT).
On April 3, 2022, the workers took strike action in the morning by shutting down operations at the facilities as they held down their demands. The workers stated, "The Company is insisting that they would not be allowed on the compound if they do not sign contracts that reportedly have no provision for pension, redundancy, and overtime payments."
"Rusal has also gone back on their promise that they would give five workers $30,000 a year as education assistance. If the company does not provide solutions, everyone will have to wait at the gate."
Vincent Morrison, the President of the Union of Clerical Administrative and Supervisory Employees, said, "The workers are upset because despite their wage and fringe benefits negotiations going to the IDT three times, the company has failed to address some basic things."
While standing at the gate of the Ewarton, St Catherine-based Windalco facility as the workers protested, Morrison said, "They have failed to address overtime pay, redundancy, health insurance, and payment for work done on public holidays."
"The temporary workers in the union do not get travelling allowance and medical coverage. We have to fight like hell to get sick leave for them."
The terms and circumstances up until 2010, according to Morrison, were acceptable, but then Rusal laid off the employees and introduced so-called fixed-term contracts, which gave the business permission to withhold some benefits.
Responses
