Tropical Battery Company Ltd v Trades Union Congress of Jamaica

• Jurisdiction: Jamaica
• Judge: Martin, C.
• Judgment Date: 10 April 1978
• Court: Industrial Dispute Tribunal (Jamaica)
• Docket Number: 44 of 1977
• Date: 10 April 1978

Industrial Disputes Tribunal

Martin, C.

44 of 1977

Tropical Battery Company Ltd.

and

Trades Union Congress of Jamaica

Labour law - Collective agreement — Wage increases.

Labour law - Collective agreement — Improved Fringe Benefits.

JUDGMENT:

1 By letter dated 24th October, 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 Tropical Battery Company Limited and the Trades Union Congress of Jamaica..

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

“To determine and settle the dispute between Tropical Battery Company Limited on the one hand, and its unionised workers represented by the Trades Union Congress of Jamaica 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. T. M. Forrest

Mr. J. C. Coombs

Mr. Peter Pile

Miss Edlin Thompson

Mr. Albert Lee

5 The trade union was represented by:

Mr. Trevor Waite

Several Worker Delegates

6 Submissions and Sittings

7 The parties submitted written briefs and oral submissions made at six (6) sittings which were held between 20th February and 4th April, 1978.

8 The dispute is in respect of wages only for the second year of a two year contract which commenced on 1st April, 1976, and which left the issue of wages for the second year open for negotiation.

9 On May 30, 1977, the union submitted a claim for a twenty- seven dollars ($27.00) per week increase in wages on which there was considerable negotiation between the parties both at the local level and at the Ministry of Labour.

10 The Company contended that it was unable to make an offer of any increase at all.

11 Award

12 The Tribunal awards that the workers in the bargaining unit be given an increase of ten dollars ($10.00) per week across-the-board for a period of one year commencing on 1st April, 1977.