The union representing inspectors at the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) has issued a 72-hour strike notice on the bus company management, citing a breach of agreement related to an incident involving three workers.
The inspectors are reportedly upset that, after management’s initial decision to place the bus driver and two inspectors on administrative leave, pending an investigation, the driver was later given sick leave instead.
The Union of Clerical, Administrative and Supervisory Employees (UCASE) said this change is not in keeping with regulations for industrial action and is neither fair nor transparent.
UCASE General Secretary John Levy explained that based on reports on Saturday, February 15, a JUTC Franchise Protection and Inspection Department team, tasked with protecting the fare box from pilferage, observed actions on a bus that aroused their suspicions.
The FPI supervisors found that the passengers had paid their fares but did not have tickets.
Mr. Levy said that while attempting to correct this breach, the FPI supervisors were assaulted.
He further explained that on Monday, the company, UCASE and the University and Allied Workers Union (UAWU) which represents the bus drivers agreed that all three parties involved in the incident should be taken off front-line duty.
Yesterday, several bus drivers withdrew their service and demanded that the FPI supervisors be relieved of their duties.
The Labour Ministry intervened, and following discussions, the bus drivers resumed normal operations.
Mr. Levy said he was informed that the driver involved in the incident would be given sick leave instead of being sent on administrative leave, as has been imposed on the two supervisors.
He said attempts to get clarification from JUTC management about what he called the unprincipled decision failed.
