The Jamaica Teachers Association has rejected the government’s latest wage offer

The JTA, in a statement Friday said of the 585 delegates who cast a ballot, 560 voted ‘no’, with just 24 voting to accept. They made the declaration at a meeting.

The association intends to write to the Ministry of Finance. In there they will pen out the outcome of the meeting and also request a better offer. The JTA will also ask to return to the bargaining table at the earliest possible time

The JTA called the conference following a week of consultations with its members across the island.

“The teachers have mandated us; we will go back to the Ministry of Finance and, of course, ask of them to have a sit down with us as professionals of this nation, the pillars of this nation, deserving of respect, and that we sit at the table and continue the talks to iron out the remaining issues as it relates to the transitioning of the teachers from our current dispensation to that of the new, under the compensation review”, said President of the JTA La Sonja Harrison.

The JTA will continue to engage in discussions with the Government to ensure teachers are given a ‘liveable salary”, she said.

The government was hoping that negotiations would be complete by the March month end but it seems like the JTA and the Jamaica Constabulary Force are major holdouts at this time.

The Jamaica Fire Brigade is also yet to accept the Government’s offer, are presently restive.