GREEN ISLAND, Hanover — Representatives from the parliamentary Opposition, unions, and civil society are expected to join the Government and members of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) Thursday to discuss wages paid to the country’s educators.

“We will have the unions there. We will have civil society there. Government and Opposition has been invited to it. So, this is serious. We are serious about getting to you the best offer possible and I know that your president will advocate,” Minister of Education Dr Dana Morris Dixon said Wednesday morning on the final day of the JTA’s 61st annual conference held at Princess Grand Jamaica Hotel in Hanover.

It was not what those gathered had expected to hear, coming on the heels of the minister’s assurance, the night earlier, that during Wednesday’s presentation she would have given them a substantive update on their request for a wage increase.

The impasse, which has seen JTA President Mark Malabver hint at the possibility of industrial action, stems from the Government’s four-year offer of zero per cent in year one, and 2.5 per cent for each of the next three years. During Monday’s investiture ceremony for the president of the 25,000 member-strong organisation, Malabver had made it clear that the JTA will not accept the Government’s current salary offer and will remain steadfast on the issue until a liveable wage is offered.

But on Wednesday, Morris Dixon encouraged teachers to take a long-term view of the issue.

“Do not look at that zero. What I will say to you is that we [the Education Ministry] are ready. The Ministry of Finance is ready. The PM [prime minister] has said — as a former teacher, former minister of education — teachers deserve a good salary. He has said that and he means it,” she assured.

“And so, as we go back to the table, President, I expect that we will be negotiating in good faith and that we will get to a position that you can come back to your teachers with an answer that your teachers can feel that you have done them proud,” added Morris Dixon.

She said anomalies found by the JTA and other public sector workers from the last wage negotiation will also be addressed during Thursday’s meeting, which will be held at the Office of the Prime Minister.

The education minister also responded to the JTA president’s earlier plea for her to throw her full support behind teachers in their pursuit of better wages. That call was made within the context of JTA members walking out of a meeting with Minster of Finance Fayval Williams, the former education minister.

“Sometimes you have to stay in your lane a little bit but, I am behind the scenes pushing, pushing, pushing for you. I am pushing for you because I understand it. I understand sitting in that classroom. I understand getting your pay cheque and looking at what others got,” stated Morris Dixon, who is also an educator.

She promised to continue her collaborative approach in getting things done for the JTA.

During Wednesday’s session, Morris Dixon also addressed the JTA president’s concerns about differential funding for non-traditional schools. Pointing out that the issue was raised in the report provided by the Professor Orlando Patterson-chaired commission, she said she is prepared to have a look at it with Malabver to explore how recommendations can be implemented.

The impasse has seen JTA President Mark Malabver hint at the possibility of industrial action