THE Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) said last night that it was near an agreement with the government on a new wage deal for the island’s more than 20,000 public school teachers.

However, in the absence of an agreement following a near five-hour meeting with finance ministry officials, teachers were placed on ‘strike alert’.

Last night, a government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said a settlement was being prevented by a difference of $4,000 in one of the teachers’ claims.

“The teachers came to the table asking for $30,000 for a Resource and Technology Allowance. The government started at $7,000,” the spokesman said. “The government is now at $22,000 but the teachers are insisting on $26,000. So, for $4,000 they are going to shut down the entire public school system.”

Hopeton Henry, president of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association, could not be reached for a response last night, but earlier he had said the wage talks would continue today.

“It is possible we could reach an agreement by tomorrow (today), but as we speak we do not yet have an agreement so now the ball is in their hands,” Henry told the Observer.

He said, however, that teachers would withdraw their services when the new school year opens next Monday, if a better offer is not placed on the table.

“We haven’t dismantled our arrangement and have activated everyone at the parish and district levels. We have put everyone on full strike alert,” Henry said.

The JTA was summoned to a meeting at the finance ministry yesterday afternoon following a meeting of its Action Committee, where members discussed the association’s strike plan if a new wage deal was not reached.