- The most significant development in this decade was the development of modern flexibility of operations on the Port of Kingston following the Muirhead Commission of Enquiry, which was established by the Minister of Labour to report on the overall operation on the port.
- The Commission’s recommendations led to the abolition of many restrictive practices which hampered the expansion of transshipment. Management and Labour made considerable strides in agreeing to new modes of operation on the port.
- Among the changes was flexible work time, which is still being debated in the rest of the society. The port operates on the principle of a normal work week being “any five of seven days”. Hence, Saturdays and Sundays are normal work days and do not attract premium rates. This principle has made Jamaica very attractive to shipping lines and helped to secure the jobs of portworkers.
- During this period, The SAJ approved a new constitution in 1993 and moved to its current headquarters at 4 Fourth Avenue, Newport West.
- Great changes continued to occur with Kingston Wharves and the Matalon-owned Western Terminals merging in 1994. The drug trade was also rampant and the SAJ decided to tackle the great threats of port misuse by members of the narcotics trade by establishing the Canine Division – a division outfitted with canine dogs and handlers who inspected cargo on the port before departure from Jamaica’s shores.