72 hour strike notice

The National Workers Union (NWU) has issued a 72 hour strike notice on the Management of Alumina Partners of Jamaica (Alpart) in St. Elizabeth, Port Kaiser in St. Ann and the Plateau Mining Complex in Manchester.



The notice, which was served on behalf of 1,200 unionised production workers, took effect at 8 a.m. this morning.



Vice-president of the NWU, Howard Duncan, said following a series of meetings with workers last week, the union was asked to lobby for a 45 percent increase in salaries and fringe benefits.



Mr. Duncan said the management at the three locations is offering the workers a 33 percent increase and the workers believe the offer is unacceptable.



He said when the union representative met with the management yesterday, the response was not favourable and as a result the strike notice was issued.



The union has given the management of Alpart until Friday to provide a satisfactory response.