JTA eager for government's response in ongoing wage talks

 

The Jamaica Teachers' Association says it will press the government over its delayed response in the ongoing wage talks.

 

This, as incoming JTA President Mark Malabver says six weeks have elapsed since the union's last meeting with the Education Ministry.

 

He says the Ministry had committed to resuming talks after six weeks following the JTA's rejection of the 7% wage hike offer.

 

"There are obviously challenges as it is already. The reality is that the government has placed an offer on the table. We have outrightly rejected that offer. We consider that offer a gross disrespect to our teachers. We will press the government for a formal response. It is something that I believe that we need in order to take it to our delegates at annual conference later next month. Put it this way, it is over four years they are offering 7% - 0% in year one, which is tantamount to a wage freeze, and 2.5% over the next three years. It is the same proposal offer that they have given to other public sector workers," he outlined.

 

He said there are several non-negotiable items that must be agreed on if the government is serious about arriving at an agreement with the JTA.