Athaliah Reynolds, Staff Reporter

One of the few buses that was in operation at South Parade, Kingston after a strike by Jamaica Urban Transit Company workers left only a few buses plying the inner-city routes. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Thousands of commuters, including students who turned out for the new school term, were left stranded yesterday morning as Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) workers stayed off the job in protest against sums owed to them, amounting to more than $150 million for payments to a number of financial agencies.

Several disgruntled employees, gathered outside the JUTC Church Street offices yesterday afternoon, told The Gleaner they have been forced to endure several financial embarrassments due to the non-payment of these sums to institutions, including credit unions and the National Housing Trust.

Despite this, workers said the company has been regularly deducting payments from their salaries.

The workers were armed with pay slips and receipts outlining salary deductions made by the company.

They also presented several letters from furniture stores and credit unions warning about outstanding fees.

"Some workers have even had their vehicles seized and their house put up for auction," said one worker.

Agreement reached

President of the University and Allied Workers Union, Lambert Brown, said yesterday that after several hours of discussions the union was able to reach an agreement with the company.

"The Minister of Transport, Mike Henry, has given us his word that all payments will be made by January 14," he said.

"We are satisfied that the minister will stand by his word and so all workers have agreed to immediately resume duty."

According to a release from the Transport Ministry yesterday, Mr. Henry deplored reports of threats being issued against some JUTC employees "in a bid to force them to join (yesterday's) withdrawal of service by other employees of the state-owned bus company".

The ministry said Mr. Henry was also questioning the motives behind the withdrawal of service.

"In noting that the union's stated grouse on behalf of the workers related to deductions from the employees' salaries over an extended period dating back to August, which were not paid over to the intended parties, Minister Henry said the union's action smacked of sabotage," the release read.

JUTC workers were ordered to resume operations at 5:00 p.m. yesterday evening.

Across several Corporate Area routes, frustrated commuters could be seen huddled at the bus stops anxiously awaiting JUTC buses.

Among the affected routes were Constant Spring, Bull Bay, Port Royal, Harbour View, Mountain View, Rollington Town, August Town, Norbrook, Barbican, Above Rocks and Border.

Most major JUTC Spanish Town routes and a few Portmore routes were also affected by the strike action.

athaliah.reynolds@gleanerjm.com