Alcan Products of Jamaica Ltd — Extrusion Plant v National Workers Union

• Jurisdiction: Jamaica
• Judge: Martin, C.
• Judgment Date: 13 March 1978
• Date: 13 March 1978
• Court: Industrial Dispute Tribunal (Jamaica)
• Docket Number: 30 of 1977

Industrial Disputes Tribunal

Martin, C.

30 of 1977

Alcan Products Of Jamaica Ltd. — Extrusion Plant

and

National Workers Union

Labour law - Industrial disputes — Wage increases.

JUDGMENT:

1 By letter dated 26th August, 1977, the honourable Minister of Labour, in accordance with section 11, subsection 1 of the Labour Relations and Industrial Disputes Act, 1975, referred to the tribunal for settlement a dispute between the company and the union.

2 The terms of reference to the tribunal are as follows:

“To determine and settle the dispute between Alcan Products of Jamaica Limited — Extrusion Plant on the one hand, and certain categories of workers employed by the company and represented by the National Workers Union on the other hand, over the union's claim for increased wages on behalf of the said workers”.

3 The division of the tribunal selected in accordance with section 8(2) of the Act was:

Dr. John Martin — Chairman

Mr. J. Murray Harris — Employers' Representative

Mr. Edward Dixon — Workers' Representative

4 The company was represented by:

Mr. Emil George, Q.C (legal)

Dr. R. A. Meikle

Mr. S. A. Smith

Mr. L. Beadle

5 The trade union was represented by:

Mr. H. O. Thompson

Mr. C. Hamilton

Several Worker/Delegates

6 Submissions and Sittings

7 Written briefs were submitted by the parties and oral submissions made at two sittings, held on the 6th and 7th February, 1978. Several exhibits were also tendered by both parties.

Background to the Dispute

8 The company and the union are parties to a collective labour agreement covering the period 1st January, 1975 to 31st December, 1976, and by letter dated 13th September, 1976, the union served a 12 -point claim on the company for improved wages and fringe benefits. At meetings held between the parties at the local level and at the Ministry of Labour, all claims except the issue of increased wages and the duration of the contract were settled.

9 After negotiations, the union reduced its demand to an eighteen dollars ($18) across-the-board increase for one year with a “proviso” that claims for the commencement of the second year should main open for future consideration. The company's final offer was ten dollars ($10) per week increase across-the-board for the first year and a further four dollars ($4) per week for the second year.

10 Award

11 The tribunal awards an across-the-board increase of twelve dollars ($12) per week for the...