The history of the SAJ

In the 1930s, the Kingston waterfront was plagued by frequent strikes that led to the disruption of businesses operating in the industry. Businesses suffered from unprofitability as a result of the unpredictable labour environment.

The disturbances heralded the arrival of the brilliant and legendary labour leader Alexander Bustamante, whose influence and dynamism challenged the status quo, leading to the closure of three city wharves in 1938.

On January 27, 1939, the Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ) was registered by a small group of businessmen who had the vision to organise themselves to bring order and certainty to an environment dominated by worker protests on the wharves and which, at the time, threatened to bring the entire city of Kingston to a standstill. The men were: Charles Edward Johnston, Luis Frederick Kennedy, Sibrandt Duhn List and Thomas Bradshaw.

The association established very clear goals, including a, commitment to improve conditions of employment; establish uniformity of rates paid to labour on wharves and ships; as well as to ensure that labourers give a fair day's work for a fair day's pay.

The industrial challenge not only gave birth to the SAJ, but also introduced a new kind of institution to the island, where it became the chief negotiator of all wharfing interests in Jamaica. These included being:

• An employer of labour on the waterfront

• A landlord for firms offering support services for the port

• A shareholder in Kingston Wharves

• The operator of security services on the wharf

• A representative of shipping agents and stevedoring interests

• The provider of computer services on the waterfront

• An Agency responsible for developing new plans for the improvement of the ports.

By the end of the century, the industrial climate of the Kingston waterfront was regarded among the best anywhere.

Throughout its 70 years of existence, the SAJ has led the change for growth on the port of Kingston and continues to do so.

Achievements of the SAJ

With each new decade, there have been stellar achievements, which serve to enhance the SAJ's footing as a dynamic contributor to the fabric of Jamaica's industrial life.

1939 -1949

• January 27, 1939 - Formation of the Shipping Association of Jamaica as a registered trade union under the Trade Unions Law of 1919 as amended by Law 35 of 1938.

• Bustamante Industrial Trade Union, (BITU) which was formed the previous year, was the main organiser on behalf of port workers.

• SAJ organised employers on the public wharves and took charge of registration of port workers. On behalf of its members, SAJ becomes sole negotiator with employees' trade unions .

• During this decade, the association was also put in charge of security on the wharves and pilotage in the Kingston Harbour.

• Wharf companies in Kingston amalgamate to form Kingston Wharves Ltd.

• Towards the end of the decade, the United Portworkers Union was founded by Seymour Warner.

1950 -1959

• The SAJ became the sole employer of port workers in Kingston Harbour.

• This decade saw an increasing pace towards industrial harmony on the port with the joint Industrial Council (JIC) being established for shipping labour and management. The JIC continues today, and provides a forum for discussion and cooperation between the management in the wider shipping community and the Unions representing the workers.

• The decade also saw a move towards modernisation with the introduction of several important initiatives. These include the Portworkers Superannuation Scheme, 1954; the Farley Commission of Enquiry, 1959, which led to the establishment of the Portworkers' Emergency Relief Fund.

1960 -1969

• This era saw modernisation of the Port of Kingston occurring rapidly.

• The historic labour contract of 1966 led to the introduction of advanced mechanisation on the port. This occurred as a result of the Moody commission of Enquiry, which recommended the overhaul of labour and management system on the waterfront. The Portworkers Pension Fund replaced the superannuation scheme; a guaranteed-pay system was introduced and benefits were generally improved for portworkers.

• The first container vessel, operated by Sealand, arrived in Kingston.

• Newport West opened and the finger piers in Kingston gradually declined.

1970 -1979

• Newport West renamed "Port Bustamante"in memory of Sir Alexander Bustamante, Jamaica's first Prime Minister and former labour leader.

• The port continued its modern development during this period.With the dawn of the computer age, the SAJ started the process of computerising its operations on the Port.

• The Caribbean Shipping Association was founded with its secretariat in Jamaica.

• A modern recruiting centre in Newport West was opened by the SAJ, and the SAJ's offices were moved to King Street.

• The SAJ workers housing scheme was established.

• Jamaica was one of the early movers in Transhipment, which began in earnest at Newport West.

• Another historic achievement of the era was the establishment of Jamaica's first Maritime Training Institution, now known as the Caribbean Maritime Institute. It was formed with financial and technical assistance of the Norwegian Government.

1980 -1989

• Registration of Port Computer Services Limited (now ADVANTUM) as a subsidiary of the SAJ, in 1982.

• The Shipping Industry News Feature was started in February 1987.

• In this same era, the SAJ developed and presented a Maritime Industry Plan to the Government of Jamaica for the development of the industry.

• SAJ deepens its contribution to port security.

• The most impressive growth in home ownership by employees of any organisation in Jamaica is initiated and supported by the Shipping Association of Jamaica.

1990 - 1999

• The most significant development in this decade was the development of modern flexibility of operations on the Port of Kingston following the Muirhead Commission of Enquiry, which was established by the Minister of Labour to report on the overall operation on the port.

• The Commission's recommendations led to the abolition of many restrictive practices which hampered the expansion of transhipment. Management and Labour made considerable strides in agreeing to new modes of operation on the port.

• Among the changes was flexible work time, which is still being debated in the rest of the society. The port operates on the principle of a normal work week being"any five of seven days". Hence, Saturdays and Sundays are normal work days and do not attract premium rates. This principle has made Jamaica very attractive to shipping lines and helped to secure the jobs of port workers.

• During this period, The SAJ approved a new constitution in 1993 and moved to its current headquarters at 4 Fourth Avenue, Newport West. The SAJ's subsidiary Port Computer Services (now ADVANTUM) signed a contract with COSMOS, a Belgian firm, to supply software for a berth-, vessel-, and yard-planning system (1994). Later in the decade, PCS earns major contract to provide the software package for the expansion of the port facilities of Rapid-Sheffield Hardware and Agro-Grace, thus expanding itself beyond the shipping industry (1995).

• Great changes continued to occur with Kingston Wharves and the Matalon-owned Western Terminals merging in 1994. The drug trade was also rampant, and the SAJ decided to tackle the great threats of port misuse by members of the narcotics trade by establishing the Canine Division - a division outfitted with canine dogs and handlers who inspect cargo on the port before departure from Jamaica's shores.

2000 - 2009

• The SAJ has positioned itself for sustained growth and readiness for the international, national economic and social times of 1999-2009.

• The association conducted a mapping exercise for the development of a port community system. The exercise was funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The association commenced efforts to persuade the Jamaican Government and shipping interests of the benefit of developing a port community system for Jamaica as one of the primary steps to expanding logistics in the island.

• This decade can also be seen as the rise of women in shipping. Pauline Gray became the eighth general manager of the association (2001), and Paula Pinnock (2002) became the first female to be a member of the SAJ's managing committee. In 2003, Corah Ann Robertson Sylvester became the first female president of the Caribbean Shipping Association and in 2005 became the second female to be a member of the SAJ's managing committee. And in 2009, Denise Lyn Fatt became the third female to join the SAJ's managing committee.

• The SAJ also took steps to improve its relevance in the industry. The association signed a memorandum of understanding with the Port Trailer Haulage Association, Jamaica Customs, and the Caribbean Maritime Institute, among others.

• The association is an executive member of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica; and a full member of the following national organisations: The Jamaica Employer's Federation, the Jamaica Exporters' Association and the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce.

• Under its current leadership, the association has undertaken the most comprehensive training and certification programmes ever implemented among its workforce.

2010 - 2014

• SAJ commences the management of a pool of workers in specialist categories on behalf of the Port Authority of Jamaica.

• SAJ is given delegated authority by the Port Authority of Jamaica to establish the Registry of Truckers under the Port Security By-Laws in March 2010.

• The Port Trailer Haulage Association and the Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association joined the membership of the SAJ.

• The SAJ was officially certified as an accredited training organisation by the National Council on Technical and Vocational Education and Training in March 2011.

• The SAJ opened a state-of-the-art portworker amenities building at its 4 Fourth Avenue location in September 2011.

• Port Computer Services renamed ADVANTUM

• The SAJ continues its lobbying effort to establish port community system; and meets with Government, Opposition and private-sector leaders to win support for the initiative. The association also conducts exploratory visits to several countries in Europe that have established port community systems.

• The Port Authority of Jamaica and the Jamaica Customs Agency open bidding process for a port community system under authority of the Cabinet.

• JIC celebrates 60th anniversary.

• SAJ elects Denise Lyn Fatt as its first female vice- president.

• SAJ signs a historic four-year labour agreement.