Release Date:
Friday, April 20, 2018
April 18, 2018
The Jamaica Teachers’ Association notes with concern, the following developments:
(1) That the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information is soliciting information from schools as it relates to Teachers who were absent from school during March 12-14, 2018. The Association is questioning what is the intended purpose of this information in light of the fact that there were some clear understanding arrived at among the parties at the Ministry of Labour on March 14, 2018, including that there would be no victimization.
(2) The extension of the school year in order to account for the three (3) days lost.
(3) The Jamaica Teachers’ Association wishes to remind its members that there is NO Agreement between the Government of Jamaica and the Jamaica Teachers’ Association as it relates to Salaries and Conditions of Service. Therefore, there will be NO increase in Basic Salary until an agreement is reached. Teachers need to be aware that the salary they will receive as of April 2018 will be the same as they received at the end of March 2018. The 5% payment was an advance payment on retroactive salary for the period April 2017 to March 2018. There will be NO increase UNTIL and UNLESS there is an Agreement.
(4) In addition, members need to be informed that the new Pension Plan for Public Sector Employees, including teachers, will be implemented as of April 1, 2018. The JTA is in discussion with the Ministry of Finance as to its implications for contributions by teachers because, the Association had an agreement with the Ministry of Finance, that teachers would not commence contributing until they started to receive new and improved salaries.
The JTA wishes to assure its members that it is treating with all matters relating to their welfare.
For further information
Contact: Leaon Nash
Administrative Officer Communications & PR
Tel.: 874.8162
Email: [email protected]