KINSGTON, Jamaica — The West Indies Group of University Teachers (WIGUT) says its members at The University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona will be striking Monday in response to a proposed reduction in benefits.

WIGUT says the university has revealed a mandate to reduce health and pension benefits for employees joining the staff on or after August 1, 2025. The mandate was reportedly issued by the Council of The University of the West Indies to the UWI Mona Campus.

“The council decision was taken unilaterally and in the absence of a negotiated agreement with any of the unions operating on the campus,” WIGUT said on Friday.

The union maintained that it would immediately suspend the industrial action once a written statement is made by the university that it is putting the reduction on hold.

“Such a statement would allow for meaningful negotiations between the university and the union to begin. As of the time of this release, no such statement has been received from the university. Until such a statement is received, notice of industrial action by WIGUT (Jamaica) at The University of the West Indies in Jamaica beginning Monday 2nd June, 2025, remains in place,” the union stated firmly.