The government has promised that by mid-December the process to transition workers at municipal corporations from contract to permanent will begin.

This after meetings were held earlier this week to discuss the workers grouses following the issuance of a strike notice by their trade union last week.

They are represented by the Jamaica Association of Local Government Officers (JALGO)

The workers are upset over the delay in the transition to permanent employees, which should have started on November 1.

The contract workers are being paid minimum wage and the move to permanent staff would mean increased salary and benefits applicable for public sector employees.

JALGO General Secretary Helene Davis Whyte said at the meeting with the local government ministry, it was proposed that the workers would undergo a 6 month period as temporary staff, and after a performance evaluation, be transitioned to permanent.

Then, at the meeting with the finance and labour ministries, the union was assured that funds will be made available for payment of new rates by the end of December.  

Mrs. Davis Whyte said discussions are to continue with regards to the effective date of appointments.