MOUNTAIN SPRING BAY, Trelawny — Teachers attending the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) 62nd Annual Conference in Trelawny have until today to instruct the union’s leadership on whether there will be disruptions to the start of the new school term in September. This follows a decision by delegates to reject the Government’s latest wage offer.

“This conference has one more day to go. The intentions, if the teachers so have an intention, they may communicate the same to the presidential corps, to the leadership of the association. We never know. We wait and see,” JTA President LaSonja Harrison responded to a question from the Jamaica Observer during a media briefing held at Ocean Coral Spring hotel in Trelawny on Tuesday.

During the second day of the conference, 155 of the 213 delegates voted against the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service’s new offer, which was dated August 14. Fifty-four voted in favour, while four votes were rejected.

Harrison told the Observer that members on the floor had heard the submissions and highlighted concerns regarding key sticking points. Among them are the remote inducement allowance, uniform package, protective clothing, and graduate allowance.

President of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA), LaSonja Harrison speaking with the media at Ocean Coral Springs Hotel in Trelawny on Tuesday. (Photo: Anthony Lewis)

Addressing the uniform policy, Harrison noted a significant disparity. She said while the Government has established three or four tiers under the public sector uniform policy — with the lowest remuneration package starting at $135,000 — teachers were offered only $38,500. As a result, teachers do not qualify to be benchmarked, retrofitted, or included in the existing portals outlined in the public sector policy document.

“When those conditions are improved, they would certainly alleviate any mental stress and all of these things that are often borne because of the situation under which we are forced to carry out education for our nation’s children. We continue to work. The teachers have spoken. We will return to the bargaining table. We’ll hear what the Ministry of Finance says, and the teachers will stand,” said Harrison.

Regarding the basic salary offer, the JTA head said the new offer was similar to that of the Joint Confederation of Trade Unions.

She said formal notification would be dispatched to the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service indicating the outcome of the vote and a request made for the earliest possible date to resume negotiations.