BY ANTHONY LEWIS

Observer writer

LUCEA, Hanover — Ansell Palmer, a Jamaica Teachers Association (JTA) presidential candidate, has criticised Mayor of Black River, Everton Fisher, for a statement that he made on the political platform which was critical of teachers’ conduct, at the height of the current wage negotiations with the Government.

The mayor, who represents the governing People’s National Party’s (PNP) Balaclava Division in the St Elizabeth Parish Council, had harshly criticised the nation’s public sector workers who are negotiating for a pay hike with the Government.

However, Palmer who outlined his objectives for the teachers if given a chance, gave his position on the matter while addressing teachers in Hanover at their annual meeting.

“Mi hear a politician the other day next door a talk to teachers like them a house slaves. Mi hear him tell the teachers say, ‘hold oonu corner enough, and mind oonu follow oonu little labourite and president enough’,” related Palmer.

He added: “Teachers, hold oonu corners, like him sure say every teacher a PNP. Listen to me, this name

JTA, Jamaica Teachers Association… it is not PNP, it is not JLP. It is JTA, no ‘P’ no ina it.”

Palmer also said that the nation’s teachers should not allow any politician to dictate to them when seeking their food.

“It no matter which slave master table the most crumbs fall off. When you a defend your food, no let no politician or party dictate to you. When you do act … act. You know the house slave when we a plan fi bun down the plantation and kill slave master, because house slave a get fi eat round the table and sleep ina the basement, him say, no man, no sah, master nice,” expressed Palmer who was roundly applauded by teachers present at the meeting.

Palmer, who is a teacher at the Lowe River Primary and Junior High School in Trelawny, went on: “Teachers, let us be resolute, let us be serious.”

Among the things Palmer said he will be lobbying for on behalf of his colleagues are the introduction of overtime pay, similar to the police, nurses, doctors, and those in the private sector; photo identification for all teachers; better working conditions and travelling for persons such as senior teachers.

Teachers of the over 24,000-strong JTA are expected to cast their vote for a candidate in the upcoming (2016-2017) presidential election slated to be held from June 22 to 26.