Teachers short-changed

THE EDITOR, Sir:

Once again the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) has sold teachers short. If the delegates who voted to accept the paltry 4% offered by government over two years had a proper grasp of industrial relations practice, they would not have accepted. According to Mrs. Spencer-Jarrett, Pres-ident of the JTA, teachers accepted the 4% wage increase "out of frustration". Well all the government has to do at the next round of wage talks is to frustrate the leadership of the JTA and offer any percentage they feel like offering them.

When will teachers wake up and realise that the JTA are poor bargaining agents? They have proven it in the past and they have proven it again.

Does the education sector think it can attract many high-calibre professionals if they decide to continue paying teachers poorly?

I am, etc.,

HUGH ANDERSON BLAIR

7 Ashburn Avenue

Kingston 3

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