ST ANDREW, Jamaica — President of the University Academic Staff Union (UTASU) which represents some 500 members of the academic staff at the University of Technology Lebert Langley, says the possibility of lecturers returning to the classrooms tomorrow is dimming based on the fact that the proposal promised by the government to end the impasse is not yet in the hands of the Union.

The UTASU head was speaking with OBSERVER ONLINE moments ago following a meeting this afternoon involving Minister with responsibility for the Education Ministry Karl Samuda, members of the Executive Management Team of the University of Technology and student representatives triggered by protest action by the students this morning over the near week-long absence of the lecturers from the classroom.

“They indicated to me by telephone that they were fleshing out a proposal and that would be shared later today. I am still waiting on that proposal so it can be placed before the academic staff. Typically our modus operandi is to consult with the staff before decisions are taken. Clearly the strength of the proposal is going to be a serious consideration so we are still awaiting that,” he told OBSERVER ONLINE.

Asked whether lecturers were prepared to return to classes tomorrow morning if the proposal was in their favour he said “I couldn’t say because … given the time, that window is shrinking in terms of the opportunity to meet and have those deliberations. Certainly the executive can meet but with a decision of that nature it is likely going to have to be presented to the membership. The unionised academic staff numbers approximately 500,” Langley said.

The payment of the outstanding sums owed to them retroactively, a portion of which should have been paid this month based on a 2015/17 Heads of Agreement is at the heart of the current standoff. One payment has already been received by the lecturers in July with another slated for next year.

Alicia Dunkley-Willis