Former Gleaner production workers protest over redundancy payments, company addresses concerns

Former production workers at The Gleaner today staged a protest at the entrance to the media company, calling for the payment of redundancy money.

According to the ex-workers, the payments were due on Friday, January 23.

However, they claim that the company has not made the payment and has since informed them that the sums will be paid over nine months instead.

The ex-employees say they do not support that move and are demanding the full payment

“None of us right now have an income, we are suffering, and we need our money. We need it,” said one of the protesting ex-production workers.

They have vowed to continue their action.

Some 45 production workers were reportedly made redundant.

The Gleaner and The Jamaica Observer recently formed a joint venture company, North Beech, which sees that entity undertaking the printing and distribution of The Gleaner newspaper.

North Beech is 50 % owned by The Gleaner and 50% owned by the Jamaica Observer.

Meanwhile, Executive Chairman of the RJRGLEANER Communications Group, Joseph Matalon, says the company is committed to making a part payment this week and has proposed to pay the remainder in full well within the required timeframe.

“It was our intent to pay the due amounts at that time [January 23], but due to financial constraints exacerbated by Hurricane Melissa and losses incurred in November and December, we are unable to make the payment in its entirety. We advised the relevant former staff members of the challenge late last week,” said Matalon.

“We continue to be in dialogue with the workers and the union concerned,” he added.

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