PM Says Signing of Wage Agreement with Teachers a Win for Jamaica

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller says the signing of Wage Agreement between the Government of Jamaica and The Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) is a win for Jamaica. “Today, it is not the teachers, or the Government, who have won the negotiations. It is Jamaica that has won,” the Prime Minister emphasized.  The Wage Agreement was signed by representatives of the JTA and the Government on Wednesday, August 26 at Jamaica House.

During her keynote address at the signing ceremony, the Prime Minister thanked the teachers for their continued patience and understanding of the Government’s Economic Reform Programme. She also expressed gratitude for their tireless efforts and dedication to the education of the nation over the years. “I want to place on record my sincere thanks, and that of the Government, to our teachers for their hard work, their dedication and the clear and great sacrifices they make day after day, to educate and develop the nation,” Mrs. Simpson Miller said.

Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Peter Phillips also commended and saluted the teachers, noting that the signing of the Agreement reflects that the teachers and their negotiating team “continue to have faith in Jamaica and I want to thank you for that.”

The Wage Agreement is for two years commencing April 2015 to March 2017. Some of the main provisions include:

• Increases in salary projected for 4 percent in year 1 and 3 percent in year 2.
• A $25 Million Fund for tertiary grants to the children of Public Sector teachers over the two years of the contract.
• An increase of the Professional Development to $20 Million.
• An agreement to identify suitable lands which the JTA will undertake to develop for its members.

Two items from the previous contract period are still being pursued.

The signing ceremony comes after a process of dialogue and consultations between the Government and the JTA. On behalf of the teachers, newly installed President of the JTA Norman Allen said that “we pledge to continue to play our role as nation builders.”

The signing of the Wage Agreement with teachers follows the recent signing between the Government and the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions in respect of salary and other benefits for the period April 2015 to March 2017 for public sector workers represented by the Confederation.