Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1998, published 87th ILC session (1999)

Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98) - Jamaica (Ratification: 1962)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its last report and recalls its previous comments in respect of the denial of the right to collective bargaining in a bargaining unit when no single union represents at least 40 per cent of the workers in the unit in question or when, if the former condition is satisfied, the union engaged in the procedure of obtaining recognition for collective bargaining purposes does not obtain 50 per cent of the votes of the total number of workers (whether they are affiliated or not to this union), where a ballot is requested by the trade union (section 5(5) of Act No. 14 of 1975 and section 3(1)(d) of its Regulation).

The Government indicates in its report that it endorses the requirement of 40 per cent since several bargaining agents for the same unit can result in different working conditions for the same category of workers if they are not members of the same union. Moreover, the withdrawal of this requirement could lead to sweetheart agreements being concluded.

The Committee notes the Government's concerns and considers that where there is no collective agreement and where a trade union does not obtain 50 per cent of the votes of the total number of workers required by law, this trade union should be able to negotiate at least on behalf of its own members. Where one or more trade unions are already established as bargaining agents, a ballot should be made possible when another trade union claims that it has more affiliated members in this bargaining unit than those trade unions, and thereby invokes its most representative status in the unit in order to be considered as a bargaining agent. The Committee, therefore, requests the Government to take the necessary measures to amend its legislation to this effect and to keep it informed in this respect.