October 31, 2026

JCSA calls off protest over GETS; Finance Ministry assures service will continue

The union representing some public sector workers said the protest over government’s decision to discontinue a transportation service, initially planned for next Monday, has been called off.

The Jamaica Civil Service Association (JCSA) said the Finance Ministry has assured that the Government Employees Transportation System (GETS) will continue while discussions on the matter are held.

Yesterday, the union indicated its plan for members to wear black and gather outside the ministry’s Kingston office, to show their displeasure with the announcement that the GETS would be terminated, today, October 31.

The ministry had indicated that, as the GETS is phased out, the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) will provide transport for a 6 month period.

The union said it’s unacceptable that there was no discussion or agreement about alternative transport arrangements and little regard for how workers would be impacted by the discontinued service, a benefit they have been getting since the 1990’s under a heads of agreement.

In an update, JCSA President Techa Clarke Griffiths said the decision to call off the planned protest follows further discussions with Finance Minister Fayval Williams and an agreement reached with the ministry today regarding the continuation of the gets service.

Clarke Griffiths said in letter today the minister confirmed to the JCSA that the JUTC will continue operating the service under the existing arrangements for an additional 6 months while discussions continue with the union towards finalising a new arrangement.

She said the JCSA welcomes the outcome of the discussions and views this development as a positive step towards resolving the concerns raised in the interest of public sector workers.

She said the ministry indicated that an official notice will be sent to all ministries, departments and agencies next Monday, November 2, confirming the continuation of the GETS.