President of the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA), Doran Dixon (right), reviews a document with Byron Farquharson, chairman of the JTA salaries and conditions committee, during a press briefing at the organisation's Church Street headquarters in Kingston yesterday. The JTA will hold crucial talks with the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service on a salary-related matter today. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

THE GOVERNMENT is optimistic that a settlement will be reached today with the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) to avert a possible disruption in the school system tomorrow.

"I'm hoping that we will be able to find common understanding," Dwight Nelson, minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, told The Gleaner yesterday.

Earlier, JTA President Doran Dixon warned that the school system could be affected if the teachers are not satisfied with the outcome of today's meeting.

"Teachers are frustrated," Dixon said at a press conference at the JTA's Church Street offices, Kingston. "We expect to get a settlement or a significant movement in that direction, if that happens, then Wednesday will take care of itself."

No predictions

But Nelson did not appear confident that any possible action would be staved off. "I don't want to make any predictions, but I know exactly what the Government's position is, and I hope we can find one accord."

Several meetings have been held between the JTA and the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service since an agreement was reached last year to bring the salaries of public school teachers within 80 per cent of those in the private sector.

Dixon claims this would cost the Government about $10 billion more in salaries and allowances, but the Government said instead, it would cost $15 billion.

In August, the JTA submitted a teacher compensation survey to the finance ministry, but the Government is yet to issue a formal response.

Possible disruption

Dixon said JTA members have mandated the executive to pilot a satisfactory pact with the Government or there could be some disruption in the school system.

According to the JTA president, teachers have indicated that they cannot continue to bear the current economic environment without assistance.

He stressed that an improvement in compensation package for the island's 23,000 public-school teachers would cushion the economic crunch.