Renown Manufacturing Ltd v Trades Union Congress of Jamaica

• Jurisdiction: Jamaica
• Judge: Richards, C.
• Judgment Date: 01 January 1978
• Date: 01 January 1978
• Court: Industrial Dispute Tribunal (Jamaica)
• Docket Number: No. 4 of 1978

Industrial Disputes Tribunal

Richards, C.

No. 4 of 1978

Renown Manufacturing Ltd.

and

Trades Union Congress of Jamaica

Labour law - Industrial disputes — Wage increases.

Labour law - Industrial disputes — Improved fringe benefits.

RENOWN MANUFACTURING CONGRESS V. TRADES UNION CONGRESS OF JAMAICA

1 REFERENCE: The honourable Minster of Labour, by letter dated 27 ^th January, 1978, in accordance with section 11 of the. Labour Relations and Industrial Disputes Act, 1975, referred to the lndustrial Disputes Tribunal for settlement, a dispute between the company and the trade union.

2 The terms of reference to the tribunal were as follows–

“To determine and settle the dispute between Renown Manufacturing Limited on the one hand, and the unionised workers employed by the company and represented by the Trade Union Congress of Jamaica on the other hand, over the claim of the union for increased wages and improved fringe benefits on behalf of the said workers”.

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

Mr. N. Richards — Chairman

Mr. N. Escoffery — Employers' Representative

Mr. E. Dixon — Workers' Representative

4 The company was represented by –

Mr. E. George, Q.C.

Mr. R. Darlington

5 The trade union was represented by

Mr. T. Waite

Several Worker/Delegates

6 Submission and sittings

7 Written briefs were submitted by the parties and oral evidence given at five sittings held between 9th June and 13th July, 1978.

8 A number of meetings were held between representatives of the company and the union at the level of the Ministry of Labour where the parties failed to reach agreement on the union's claim outlined below:

1. Uniforms

Three (3) sets of uniforms per annum for each employee.

2. Insurance

• (a) Implementation of a non-contributory death and dismemberment scheme details to be worked out.

• (b) Payment of wages to employees while off the job as a result of injury.

• (c) Implementation of a comprehensive medical scheme at no cost to the workers.

3. Leave facilities

Sick, vacation and maternity leave on the following basis:

• (a) Sick Leave

  • 10 days per annum — accumulative for five (5) years.

• (b) Vacation leave

  • 1 — 4 years service — 2 weeks

  • 5 — 9 years service — 3 weeks

  • 10 years and over — — 4 weeks

• (c) Maternity.

  • Six (6) month leave inclusive of three (3) months pay and guaranteed reinstatement.

4. Severance pay

On the following basis –

Qualifying period 1 year: up to 3 years -3 weeks pay per year

3 years up to 6 years — 4 weeks pay per year

6 years and over — 6 weeks pay per year

5. Wages

Forty ($40.00) dollars per week minimum and the maintenance of the existing differential between grades.

9 In view of this impasse it was agreed that the matter should be referred to the...