KINGSTON, Jamaica — Several workers employed to the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) and represented by the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU) have reportedly taken industrial action in furtherance of a dispute over long‑outstanding payments owed.

Rudolph Thomas, vice president of the BITU, which represents security, ancillary, accounting, and clerical staff at the JTA, said the dispute arose from the JTA’s failure to provide details surrounding the calculation of incremental and seniority salary increases spanning 2017 to present, where several discrepancies have been noted and clarification sought.

According to a BITU release on Monday, the situation has reportedly worsened based on management’s failure to conclude wage and fringe benefits negotiations for an expired period spanning 2024 to 2026, and untenable delays in engaging with the union to implement a market realignment exercise which has effect from 2024.

The workers are reportedly frustrated by management’s inaction which the union indicates breaches agreements between the parties and is tantamount to refusing to pay fair wages for work done by its members.

Vice President Thomas has indicated the likelihood of this protest escalating if management fails to immediately meet and determine firm timelines to resolve these issues, where several commitments given at the Ministry of Labour have been breached.