Rudolph Brown
Teachers vent their feelings following the decision of the JTA delegates to accept the Government's salary offer at the Jamaica Conference Centre yesterday.Delegates of the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) voted yesterday to accept the Government's offer of a four per cent increase on their salaries.
However, the decision was accompanied by disappointment shown by many teachers who attended the JTA meeting held at the Jamaica Conference Centre in Kingston to vote on the offer, which they described as "a slap in the face."
With a sweeping majority of 216 acceptances and 82 rejections, the delegates, representing teachers islandwide put an end to a debate that had been going on for more than a year. But JTA President, Judith Spencer-Jarrett warned of negative reactions that could result from the Government's offer.
"Although we have accepted that offer, we cannot guarantee that we will go out of our way to do extra things such as festivals and sweeping classrooms," she told The Sunday Gleaner after the meeting yesterday. "If they are going to be like that then we must focus our attention on what exclusively is our responsibility when we go into the staff room."
The terms of the Government's offer are that teachers will receive an increase of four per cent on their salaries in the first year and another four per cent in the second of the contract period. A new contract period is set to begin next year.
Many teachers were visibly disappointed yesterday and strongly expressed their concerns during the session where delegates were invited to speak.
"I'm grieving at this moment at the result I just heard," said Annette Robinson, a teacher for 10 years. "...It is a slap in the face. By accepting this offer are you saying that teachers don't know the value of money? Election year is coming up and I expected the JTA to ride on that and get something from the Government - instead we accept this! It's a slap in the face."
Mrs. Spencer-Jarrett said she believed that the vote is a reflection of the frustration of teachers in the lengthy negotiations.
"We have been negotiating so long, frustration is the main factor for the decision on this matter," she told The Sunday Gleaner.
The delegates cast their ballots a second time to decide whether or not to accept the Government's proposal to include maintenance and equipment allowances in the basic salaries.
This move will benefit pensioners and about one-third of all teachers, pensioners, master teachers (specialists), principals and other seniors in the profession more than regular teachers.
Some 204 voted in favour of the inclusion of maintenance and equipment allowances in basic salaries and 80 voted against. There were seven spoiled votes.
