The Nurses Association of Jamaica (NAJ) is expressing doubt that today’s meeting with labour and health officials will end in a mutually satisfactory agreement.

That meeting is now underway at the Labour Ministry.

Although the labour minister Pearnel Charles has said the government is prepared to honour its obligation to the nurses as soon as funds are available, the NAJ says it will not be letting up in its bid to pressure the government.

NAJ President Edith Allwood-Anderson says she now needs to hear from the prime minister Bruce Golding on the issue.

In January, the Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT) ruled that that the government should immediately set a date for the start of the reclassification process, which should provide an increase in wages and other benefits for public sector nurses.

However, that date is yet to be set.

The nurses are currently owed $525 million.