NHT workers stage industrial action over wage talks

Ancillary, clerical and administrative staff at the National Housing Trust (NHT) extended their nationwide industrial action into a second day Friday, disrupting some services, following a collapse in wage and benefits negotiations.

Gleaner sources say the employees, who are represented by the NHT Staff Association (NHTSA), went on sickout on Thursday, accusing NHT management of not negotiating in “good faith”.

According to the workers, they feel disrespected by the management of the 50-year-old state agency after the date of a planned meeting was changed without notice to their union.

The workers claim they later learnt that the meeting was held on Tuesday and the NHTSA’s positions were not tabled.

Among the matters on the table are requests for information on the breakdown of salaries, decreased interest rates for mortgages and car loans, changes to the home equity programme and a 50th-anniversary one-off payment.

The workers are insisting that the most vulnerable staff members are facing hardships as a result of what they describe as “dishonourable negotiations”.

It is understood that during the industrial action, managers as well as temporary employees, who are not unionised, are manning some operations.

The NHT has also asked customers making mortgage payments in person to use drop boxes at its offices.

- Karen Madden

Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.