MoBay Metro workers strike after non-payment of salaries

Hundreds of commuters who use the Montego Bay Metro buses were left stranded yesterday morning after disgruntled drivers and conductors employed to the company went on a sick out over outstanding salaries and retroactive monies.

The workers say that they will remain off the job until they are paid. THE STAR spoke with several of the employees who did not wish to be named. They said that the Government stipulated that they should receive a one-off payment of $40,000, a four per cent increase and a retroactive payment of four per cent dating back to April. Those monies should have been paid no later than December 21. But to date they have not received them. The disgruntled workers also said that they did not receive their regular salaries on that day. Fortnightly paid night staff were not paid either. They say they have received no word as to the reason for the delays.

The workers say that the company chairman, Kay Francis, informed them that she contacted the Transport Ministry, and that she was informed that no approval was given for the $40,000 payment. The disgruntled employees also mentioned that they met with the company management yesterday, but they did not come to any conclusion as to when they would receive the monies owed to them. They also claimed that so far, only members of the management team have received their payment.

When THE STAR visited the Montego Bay Metro depot in Bogue on Wednesday, the news team was told to wait as the management was locked in a meeting. After about an hour, the team was told by a security officer that the managers were not interested in speaking with any reporters at this time.

- H.B.