Disgruntled workers of First Caribbean International Bank (FCIB) protest outside their Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston offices yesterday to press their demand for an improvement in wage and fringe benefits. - Rudolph Brown/Staff Photographer THE MINISTRY of Labour has summoned representatives of First Caribbean International Bank (FCIB) and the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU) to a meeting on Monday in an effort to bring an end to an impasse over fringe benefits negotiations for workers.
The Labour Ministry said yesterday that both parties had agreed to attend the meeting with a view to reaching a settlement.
CURRENT WAGE
Yesterday operations at FCIB were shut down as the approximately 300 workers walked off the job to press their demand for a revision of the current wage and fringe benefits package being offered by management. Several placard-bearing employees demonstrated outside the Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston offices of the bank while frustrated customers waited outside to do business.
According to Kavon Gayle, assistant island supervisor at the BITU, the workers decided to take industrial action after the bank's management refused to improve its offer on a new fringe benefits package arising from a recent restructuring and harmonisation programme.
In a statement yesterday, the bank's management said: "We were alerted by way of the press today that there would be protest action taken by the unionised staff..." The statement said .."Negotiations appear to have broken down and the management of the bank has taken the decision to refer the matter to the Ministry of Labour for conciliation."
