Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter
PRESIDENT OF the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA), Ruel Reid, said if the Ministry of Finance agreed to increase teachers' salary within 80 per cent of market rate, the JTA would strongly consider accepting the current salary offer.
The Government had proposed a 14 per cent to 16 per cent increase in the first year for principals and vice-principals, with eight per cent in the second year. For teachers, the proposed rate is between 14 to 22 per cent in the first year and five to eight per cent in the second.
But, an overwhelming number of JTA delegates rejected the offer, last Friday at a special delegates conference.
The JTA boss said an acceptable time frame for the implementation of the salaries to be within 80 per cent of market value would have to be worked out with Government, noting that it would have to be retroactive to April 2007.
Mr. Reid told The Gleaner that he had been in discussion with the Minister of Finance and Planning (Dr. Omar Davies) over the issue and it was expected that the ministry would respond by next week.
He noted that the JTA hopes to arrive at a settlement to the salary impasse before the beginning of its annual conference, scheduled for August 21-23.
"Because we hope to have a smooth start to the school year," he said.
The JTA was among at least four unions that did not sign the second Memorandum of Understanding (MoU2) between Government and the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU).
Meanwhile Dr. Myerton Smith, president of the Jamaica Medical Doctors' Association (JMDA) said his organisation sent a letter to the Finance Minister, informing him of the doctors' rejection of the current salary offer.
He said his association is seeking a meeting with the Finance Ministry within a week of receiving the letter to further discuss the matter. Failing that, Dr. Smith said members of the JMDA would meet again to decide what action to take.
The current offer from Government is 14 per cent increase in year one and eight per cent in year two.
The JMDA is pressing Government for a 51 per cent increase in year one and 15 per cent in year two of MoU2.
