Gasoline tanker drivers restive, again

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Over 200 gasoline tanker drivers across the island have again become restive complaining that negotiated wage agreements are not being met by marketing companies.

According to National Workers Union (NWU) chief union delegate Cleveland Guscott, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed at the Ministry of Mining late last year, which should have provided them with much needed benefits, however those conditions are not being honoured.

“We are frustrated, we were assured by Mr Paulwell and others that the agreement would be honoured, up to now nothing has been happening,” Guscott told OBSERVER ONLINE Thursday afternoon.

“We are just watching and planning the appropriate time to take action. Nobody listens to us until we take action,” he argued.

Guscott said the State Minister in the Ministry of Science, Technology and Mining, Julian Robinson spoke with the drivers today (Thursday, February 27) and has asked them to hold off on any action until he meets with the marketing company responsible for distributing funds.

” I don’t want to be specific as to which marketing company it is, there are a few. They are supposed to pay contractors an increase. They should pay the increase so the drivers can be paid and they are not paying it,” Guscott said.

“You need to understand the danger of our jobs and the long hours we work. Give us what we’re due. They signed a memorandum and have ignored it,” he added.

The tanker drivers ended their latest strike on January 30, following a meeting with Energy Minister Phillip Paulwell, and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, their union and the haulage contractors.

The strike, which left several gas stations across the island low on fuel, was in protest against the delay in the finalisation of a wage and fringe benefits agreement.

— Candiese Leveridge