JTA urged to continue wage talks with Finance Ministry in good faith

 

Education Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon has urged the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) to continue its wage negotiations in good faith with the Ministry of Finance amid threats of industrial action.

 

The JTA has warned that teachers could initiate protests if the government does not amend its wage offer of 0% in one year, followed by 2.5% in each of the remaining three years.

 

Dr. Morris Dixon, addressing the JTA's 61st annual conference at the Princess Grand Hotel in a Green Island, Hanover on Wednesday, told the educators that the government believes that they are deserving of a good salary.

 

"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 and that your teachers can feel that you have done them proud. And our commitment as government, our commitment is to give you the best deal," she declared. 

 

Dr. Morris Dixon said a meeting to discuss the public sector salaries will be held at the Office of the Prime Minister on Thursday at 9:30 a.m.

 

Representatives from the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions and the Jamaica Civil Service Association, which represent the bulk of the island's civil servants, have been invited to the meeting, which will be chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness.

 

The Police Federation, which represents rank and file policemen and women, has also rejected the government's offer of 0% as its starting point.

 

 

In the meantime, JTA President Mark Malabver has again threatened legal action against the government over teachers who were sent into early retirement in a contravention of the Pensions Act. 

 

Mr. Malabver said the affected educators should be properly compensated.

 

"Let the message go out loud and clear that this matter is not going away anytime soon. We are demanding that these individuals be properly compensated for suffering the inconvenience of being forced into retirement prematurely. If this matter is not treated with, then we will leverage the resources of the teacher and bring a class action lawsuit against the government on behalf of these teachers. Worries in the dance," he warned. 

 

Earlier this year, following a threat of legal action, the government said there would be changes to the Pensions Act that will allow teachers to stay in active duty until age 65.

 

The ministry further promised to cease issuing retirement notices to educators who have not reached the retirement age. 

 

The decision was welcomed by the teachers union.