KINGSTON, Jamaica (Jamaica Observer) – President of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA), La Sonja Harrison, is calling on educators across the island to support industrial action against the Government for what she describes as “discrepancies and anomalies” following the recent compensation review.
In an audio message, Harrison urged educators to stand together to ensure they are properly compensated, expressing that “one teacher not paid correctly or underpaid affects all of us.”
“Several teachers have been negatively impacted by the implementation of the restructuring exercise also known as the compensation review. Many anomalies came to light from the initial payments made in March 2023. The JTA has brought same to the attention of our employers from the get-go. Official communication was first sent to Minister (Nigel) Clarke on April 18, 2023, requesting establishment of a technical committee to treat with anomalies and discrepancies. To date, no response,” she said, highlighting that teachers hoped issues would have been sorted and that their April salaries would reflect such.
According to Harrison, teachers who have already been paid for this month (May) have indicated that salary issues remain unresolved.
She has therefore called on educators to voice their displeasure through industrial action.
Teachers are expected to be on a two-day strike as of Thursday.
