Teachers accept gov't's latest wage offer, police decline

Delegates of the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) have voted to accept the government's latest wage offer following weeks of negotiations.

On Monday evening, 68 per cent of the delegates brought the negotiations to a close, voting yes to the proposed package with 30 per cent voting no.

Two per cent of delegates abstained. 

A total of 550 delegates voted.

The acceptance means that educators will get a four per cent salary increase and improvements in their fringe benefits package.

They will get an increase in book and software allowance plus a laptop voucher in the amount of $90,000. 

JTA president Winston Smith told The Gleaner on Monday that members will be holding the government to its promises.

"We are not 100 per cent happy with the offer, but as educators we are holding the government to their word as we embark on negotiating the terms of the new Public Sector Compensation document with the view to ensure that the island's teachers receive a better compensation, especially the principals of multi-grade primary schools," he said.

A compensation review for teachers is slated to begin in April.

Meanwhile, police wage negotiations remain at a stand-still after members of the central committee of the Jamaica Police Federation on Monday rejected the latest offer.

"We anticipate an urgent invitation to continue the negotiation process," a statement from the central committee read.

- Sharlene Hendricks

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