Nurses’ Association hoping for follow-up wage meeting this week

The Nurses’ Association of Jamaica (NAJ) says it is hoping for a follow-up meeting this week to resume wage talks.

NAJ President Janet Farr says public sector nurses want a better response to some of the items put forward in its wage claim.

She says the chief issue is the payment of retroactive sums associated with a reclassification exercise which has been outstanding since 2013.

The NAJ president says the government has indicated to the NAJ that it is unable to begin payment until February 2016.

However, Farr says nurses are opposed to any further delays in payment.

Over the years, the NAJ and the government have been at odds over the payment of outstanding sums from a reclassification of the public health sector.

Meanwhile, the NAJ president says the association is prepared to accept the government's seven per cent wage offer, but says it will continue to demand improvements in allowances and benefits.