'Ride and whistle' - JTA urges Gov't to resolve issues with salaries and contracts

The Jamaica Teachers Association (JTA) has formally called on the Government to resolve outstanding issues with salary increments and contracts, even as the country grapples with recovery from Hurricane Melissa.

“Notwithstanding all that is happening, the Government has to ride and whistle,” Mark Malabver, JTA president, told The Gleaner.

Malabver said the association submitted two letters dated December 15 to the Minister of Finance. “We are disappointed and agitated at how the Government is treating our negotiations concerning salaries and conditions of service,” he added.

He said the first letter addresses overdue increments and contracts, noting that teachers have been working without a contract since April 2025, the same date when salary adjustments were due. The JTA is demanding that the matters be resolved by January 5, 2026.

The second letter requests a meeting with the Ministry in early January to continue negotiations on salaries.

Malabver noted that the union has submitted a 28-point claim to the Government but declined to discuss the specifics publicly.

Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica on October 28, causing widespread destruction and damage exceeding US$8.8 billion.

After a summer of discontent, the union and the government resumed talks but there was no settlement before the hurricane struck.

-Leon Jackson

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