Wed | Oct 15, 2025

Petrojam mum on lab staff complaints, cites ongoing talks

Published:Wednesday | October 15, 2025 | 12:07 AM
Petrojam Refinery.
Petrojam Refinery.

Petrojam has declined to publicly address allegations raised by laboratory technicians about deteriorating working conditions and management practices, stating only that discussions with staff over “any recent grievance” are ongoing.

The state-owned oil refinery was responding to The Gleaner’s questions about a letter dated October 3, 2025, in which lab technicians described increasing mental strain, threats to worker rights, and “inhumane” expectations in the lab. The unsigned complaint was reportedly sent to management and copied to other staff.

“We do not comment publicly on internal communication among employees,” Petrojam said in a statement issued on October 10. “In terms of any recent grievance matter, the Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT) issued a back-to-work order to our laboratory technicians last Thursday. Notwithstanding the matter being before the Tribunal, Petrojam convened talks with the laboratory technicians. The parties met on Tuesday, October 7, and agreed that discussions will continue.”

The company did not address specific claims about excessive workload, leave restrictions, poor communication between the chief chemist and staff, or mental health concerns. It also offered no response to The Gleaner’s questions about meal-break policies, off-duty availability, or protections for staff who raise complaints.

Technicians also expressed concern about a possible shift in testing priorities, suggesting that greater focus on utilities testing may be replacing critical petroleum testing. According to its website, Petrojam operates the only fully equipped petroleum and ethanol testing facility in Jamaica responsible for ensuring that all fuel products supplied to the market meet safety, legal, and contractual standards.

In their letter, workers described an “unsustainable environment” and urged senior management and HR to intervene. They claimed that earlier mediation had failed to resolve issues and said they now feared for their mental well-being and job security.

COMPLAINTS

Among the complaints was a proposed policy allowing only two technicians – out of a 19-member department – to take vacation leave at a time, which they said made it “mathematically impossible” for long-serving staff to use their accrued leave.

They also cited long shifts without adequate meal breaks and said staff were at one point asked to remain “work-ready” during scheduled rest days. “These are non-negotiable human rights, not financial complaints,” the letter stated.

The issue followed weeks of tension that led to the IDT’s involvement. Petrojam said the tribunal issued an order on October 2 for technicians to resume duties following what it termed “industrial action”. The company did not specify the trigger.

However, union representative John Levy of the Union of Clerical, Administrative and Supervisory Employees, rejected the claim of a strike.

“The workers were at work, so there was no need to issue a back-to-work [order],” he told The Gleaner.

Levy said a meeting was held on October 1 between workers and management to address underlying tensions related to laboratory operations. He said the following day, “two or three” employees did not report for a shift while others continued their duties.

The union leader said the matter referred to the IDT is “unknown to us as a dispute”. According to him, there is no pushback from workers against a new overtime policy.

Levy insisted yesterday that the real issue is “changes that are being made to customs and practices over the years without proper consultations”.

editorial@gleanerjm.com