JTA pauses industrial action talks for now amid improved wage offer from gov't

The Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) says it has put on pause for now any plans for industrial action by public sector teachers as the union has received an improved wage offer from the Ministry of Finance.

The JTA's Action Committee convened a meeting today to discuss how teachers and the union would register their objection to the Government offering zero per cent in the first year of a four-year deal.

However, The Gleaner reported on Thursday that the finance ministry has put an offer of a two per cent increase in the first year at a meeting yesterday involving the JTA and the Minister of Finance.

In light of this development, JTA president Mark Malabver says he has asked the Action Committee to place a pause on any industrial action it was contemplating at this time.

This pause, he said, is intended to allow the offer to be tabled before the JTA’s Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee, where it will be carefully examined and deliberated upon.

"Following this process, a formal response will be submitted to the Ministry of Finance," said the JTA in a statement on Friday.

"The JTA wishes to emphasize, however, that this pause does not signal satisfaction. Rather, it represents the organisation’s ongoing commitment to a process of principled and constructive engagement, as we continue to advocate for fair and just treatment for Jamaica’s teachers," it added.

The JTA says it looks forward to continuing the negotiations in good faith with the Government, "with one clear and unwavering objective: to secure a salary package that reflects the true worth of our teachers as nation builders, and that acknowledges the sacrifice teachers make daily in shaping the future of Jamaica”.

“The teachers of this country can rest assured that the JTA remains resolute in its mission. We will continue to stand firmly on your behalf, negotiating with strength, unity, and vision. Together, we remain committed to our motto—to Unite and Serve."

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