SXMElections.com

KINGSTON, Jamaica--Despite an increased offer late Friday night from the Government, public school teachers voted overwhelmingly Saturday to reject their latest pay offer.

The ballot, which followed a prolonged presentation from Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) President Doran Dixon, which appeared to be aimed at reducing the growing tension inside the Jamaica College auditorium, resulted in 243 of the 315 delegates voting against the Government’s package.

Of the number, 71 delegates voted for the package, which included the latest wage offer of seven per cent over two years. One vote was spoilt.

The overwhelming rejection came despite an announcement by Dixon that Minister with responsibility for the Public Service Horace Dalley had telephoned him Friday night offering to increase the teachers’ “book, software and technology allowance” from the current Jamaican dollar J $111,430 (J $1,000=US $8.59) per annum to J $147,000 by 2016/17, a J $24,000 increase over the two years.

Interestingly, the allowance was introduced in 2006 while Jamaica College Principal Ruel Reid was president of the JTA, as a last-minute bid to settle a similar pay issue between the parties.

But one teacher likened the overnight offer to an act of “Anancyism” on the part of the minister.

“Where did that J $2,000 come from? There is more there. Do not allow them to tip us. We are not waiters and waitresses. We are professionals,” she said.

Questioned by the delegates as to how seriously they should take Dalley’s offer, Dixon said that he did not expect the minister to take it lightly, as he did not.

“There is honour among thieves, therefore, there must be honour among the rest of us,” he said.

He told the meeting that the basic salary, being a system-wide issue, was a major challenge for the negotiating team, and they now have to focus on improving fringe benefits.

“That is what it has come down to now,” Dixon insisted.

Seemingly washing his hands of possible job losses resulting from the teachers’ position, Dixon said he didn’t take it lightly, and wouldn’t want it to be said that it was because the teachers have succeeded that they lost their jobs.

“We don’t take it lightly. It is a consideration. It is a possibility, yes, and that is why we take everything into consideration. We do not want to be the cause of that,” the JTA president said.

However, one delegate responded that it was a trick used by the Government whenever teachers seek a pay increase and urged her members to stand up to it this time.

“If people are going to lose jobs, I think it is time to stand up and let the cutting start. I believe it should start with the advisers (to the Government) and the permanent secretaries,” she said.

“We are as qualified as they are, and we must demand a living (wage) ... It is time to vote right. Think about it, waiting another five years, things will never get better. Take what you can get now,” she said.

Dixon said that he will report the result to the Ministry of Finance and Planning today, Monday. ~ Jamaica Observer ~