TEACHERS SALARIES UPDATE

After several months of negotiating with the Government for the contract period 2002 - 2004 the process is finally coming to a close. The negotiations have been long and tiresome but it is our fervent hope that by the time this publication reaches your schools a reasonable settlement would have been reached.

As you are aware the dispute between the JTA and the Government was referred to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security following the two-day industrial action taken by teachers on February 10 and 11, 2003. The industrial action was an overwhelming success. Almost all schools were closed for the two days as teachers indicated their anger at how they felt they were being treated as professionals and the role they play in national development

At the first meeting with the Minister of Labour he got the parties to agree to return to the local level to continue the discussions and report to him within a two-week period. The discussions and report to him within a two-week period. The discussions took place and movements were made on items which up to then the Ministry of Finance and Planning had not addressed. An update was circulated to Contact Teachers.

However, on the issue of the basic salary, the Government refused to change the offer of 3% for the period April to September 2002. At the time of writing a proposal put on the Table was being looked at and another meeting was expected by March 21, 2003 at which the Minister of Labour would present the results of the consultations he had. The consultation contracted to carry-out the realignment exercise was expected to present his report and recommendations to the Steering Committee by March 21, 2003. The extent of the adjustment to teachers compensation package was to be confirmed by the end of March. This adjustment will be retroactive to October 1, 2003.

The Special Conference at which delegates will be presented with the package with the offers on Salaries and Benefits for the 2002 - 2004 Contract Period is being planned for April 12, 2003 at the Jamaica Conference Centre, Duke Street, Kingston. It is at the Special Conference that delegates decide on whether to accept or reject the offer laid on the Table. If the offer is accepted the JTA and the Ministry of Finance will sign a Heads of Agreement. If rejected the dispute would be referred for Arbitration to the Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT).

The Association is aware that its members have been in an angry mood because of t he protracted negotiations and the limited benefit they perceive they would receive. We wish to assure the Members that the leadership of the Association and the Negotiating Team have laboured for long hours to get the best for its Members. The Association strongly believes that a critical factor in improvement of the quality of education in this country is the level of remuneration that teachers receive. We will not be able to attract and retain quality young people to the teaching service unless they believe that they will be able to satisfy their economic and personal needs. We must improve the attainment levels of students who leave our educational institution if as a country we hope to hold our own in the highly competitive and global community. Our survival as a society depends on this. It is at this time that we need a strong and unified profession. Let us 'Unite and Serve'.