Hope Gardens workers stage protest

Staff at the Hope Botanical Gardens in St Andrew have locked the gates to the attraction as they stage a protest along Old Hope Road over the cutting of the wages of some workers and what they say is the disregard by management.

About 20 placard-bearing workers converged along the sidewalk from about 8 a.m.

Staff member Jose Solan said the pay cut is the second in two years. 

The employees say their work hours have also been severely impacted.

They told The Gleaner that despite meetings with management, their union and the Ministry of Labour, no reasonable agreement could be reached.

Headlines Delivered to Your Inbox

Sign up for The Gleaner’s morning and evening newsletters.

The workers are also disgruntled about working conditions and the scarcity of uniforms. 

They say they plan to continue the industrial action until an agreement is reached with management.

Management has not offered a statement on the issue as yet and our news team has not been able to reach them.

The police are at the location and have asked the workers to maintain public order. 

- Andre Williams