JTA Concerned About Prolonged Negotiations

JTA Press Release - April 26, 2026

Mark Malabver - JTA President

The Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) acknowledges, without reservation, the deep frustration, exhaustion, and growing impatience being experienced by teachers across the country. We recognize that this prolonged negotiation process has placed an unfair burden on our members, testing not only their patience, but also their sense of worth and professional dignity. These feelings are not misplaced; they are entirely justified. 

President of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association, Mark Malabver, stated: “We want our members to know that your leadership stands firmly with you. We understand the sacrifices you continue to make daily, even in the face of uncertainty and delay. Let us be clear: this struggle is not merely about salaries, it is fundamentally a fight for social justice. It is about correcting longstanding inequities and ensuring that teachers are valued in a manner consistent with their indispensable role in national development.” 

The JTA advises that the Ministry of Finance has formally invited the Association to a negotiation meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. This meeting represents a critical opportunity to advance discussions on the outstanding elements of our list of claims, including the unresolved Graduate Allowance matter and other key issues affecting the welfare and compensation of our members. 

However, we must be candid: to date, there has been no significant progress on these critical matters despite the JTA’s sustained efforts to move the process forward. 

In light of this, the JTA is appealing to its members to exercise a little more patience and to allow Tuesday’s engagement the space it requires. This appeal is made with full awareness of the prevailing mood across the profession. 

Members are, however, urged to remain vigilant and maintain a state of high alert. 

Let it be made unequivocally clear, If there is no meaningful progress, particularly on the key points within the JTA’s list of claims and the Graduate Allowance issue, arising from Tuesday’s meeting, the matter will be placed squarely in the hands of the membership to determine the next course of action. 

Members are encouraged to listen for updates following the outcome of the negotiation meeting. 

In a show of solidarity, members are also asked to wear black on Monday and Tuesday, April 27th  and 28th  to register their displeasure with the scant regard in which they are being treated. 

The JTA remains resolute. This is a just cause, and we will pursue it with unwavering commitment. 

Editor's Note

I keep wondering why the teachers have to wear black to register their displeasure. We are convinced that everything bad is black. Black book, black magic, blackmail, black sheep, Satan is black, and to top it off, we have Black people.

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What Is The Best Qualification For A Job? A PhD?

Audley Gordon - 
NSWMA Executive Director

Someone brought it to my attention today that the Gleaner headline said "no qualifications, no problem" at NSWMA. I wondered what this qualification means. In reading the article, my understanding is that it is stated somewhere that the minimum qualifications for some posts are a first or a second degree.

Do we have any tertiary academic institutions in Jamaica where waste management is studied? Are we to believe that because someone has a doctorate, that person is more qualified to run the waste management organizations? Management must have the freedom to select the best, and the best does not necessarily mean people with academic degrees on their heads.

Age is another criterion that we use to block talented people from working with the state. This is a poor country. Let those with their doctorates go and do research and lecture at the tertiary level. That is where Jamaica needs its academically qualified people, rather than having them sitting in air-conditioned offices. Degrees don't work for organizations, performance and integrity do.

Academic achievement should not be the main consideration for many jobs in Jamaica. Many people have learned by experience on the job. I have given quite a few jobs that I was not academically qualified for. I was a programmer/analyst for Air Jamaica, and I wrote their pass bureau system, which three graduates of the UWI failed to write and implement. The first time I went on stage as an actor in Trevor Rhone's "School's Out," I received a gold medal and best supporting actor in the professional JCDC drama category. When I went to JBC as a youngster, I did not attend any institution to study broadcasting before.

When I read the Gleaner article about people being employed without qualifications and noted that this was brought to light by the internal audit report, I knew that someone was out to make problems for the NSWMA. Someone must have leaked this report to the Gleaner.

If someone leaked this report, there must be a motive. Nobody is willing to give me information, but I gather that there is a disgruntled employee who is spreading negative things about the NSWMA. What the audit should also tell us is if these people without the academic qualifications can do their jobs and are doing a good job. This is what matters. Careful how you dig holes; you might be preparing a hole for yourself.

I am on record as saying that I am proud of the work that Executive Director Audley Gordon is doing. When I bring citizens' complaints to the organization, the organization responds immediately. The sanitation workers have now been put on staff, and the NSWMA's annual accounts are now up-to-date. The question is, what was happening before Mr. Audley Gordon went there?

One or two evil people are working at the NSWMA. Their evil might spread like an aggressive cancer throughout the organization.

I forgot that the Gleaner posted the "unqualified people" (sic) salaries. Have they done so to light the band-mind fire in society? I wonder if the article was written by a qualified person, and I wonder what their salary is.

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Remember that Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day without your support. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.

You can view the blog with your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar to see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles. There is also a weather link, which you can use to track hurricanes.

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Breaking News From White House Correspondents' Dinner

President Donald Trump

The US President Donald Trump was rushed off stage by the Secret Service at the Washington Hilton after shots were fired. This happened at about 8:36 pm in Washington. President Trump said a shooter was apprehended and that he'll speak from the White House soon. This happened at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, DC.

A US secret agent was shot. Authorities have identified the suspected gunman as a 30-year-old male from California. The shooter's name has not been published.

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Remember that Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day without your support. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.

You can view the blog with your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar to see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles. There is also a weather link, which you can use to track hurricanes.

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Salaries Late At One Media Entity

Back Di Trute got hold of an unsigned memo that states that RJRGleaner Communications Group's payment of salaries has been delayed. The new payment date, according to the document, will be no later than April 29.

The reason given is, unexpected processing delays. Bark Di Trute is not sure what that means.

Bark Di Trute is getting very concerned because strong media organizations are important for society. Can this be a cash flow problem? Is it an indication of rough financial days ahead for this large media entity?

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Remember that Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day without your support. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.

You can view the blog with your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar to see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles. There is also a weather link, which you can use to track hurricanes.

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Bark Di Trute, Barks Di Trute!

You must watch this Bark Di Trute video to learn about the sugar many have consumed, and it seems as if the sugar contained metallic objects.

Bark Di Trute also addresses what appears to be an illegal police search. This is a very serious matter, and you should be hearing more about this from the authorities.

Click here to watch the video

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Remember that Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day without your support. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.

You can view the blog with your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar to see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles. There is also a weather link, which you can use to track hurricanes.

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The State Needs To Deal WIth JPSCo Electricity Theft Now!

It is time there is a coordinated effort to deal with the stealing of electricity in Jamaica. If the government turns its back on crimes like this, then there is no hope for significantly reducing crime in the country. Can you imagine children growing up seeing their parents stealing? Stealing a no nutten!

The government, working with the JPS, can help those falling below the poverty line to get solar lights and other solar equipment. Students should be trained in solar technology who can assist their communities in setting up solar systems.

With the continuation of the war in the Middle East and the rising oil prices, now is the time to take action to reduce our dependency on oil to produce electricity in Jamaica. The government must make the bold move and deal with this national problem of electricity theft.

The following Is A Message From A JPS Customer

A pleasant day to Mr Derby, I know you are working overtime but please sir I am seeing it every day people burning light morning, noon and night not paying bills right beside me around me in Hopewell Christiana Manchester next to Holmwood Techinal High school . Please, please please Mr. Derby mi a beg you sir ask JPS to do an emergency check from the square of Hopewell to the all meters not hard to find out. Please Mr Derby I can't be paying and strong people abusing the situation. It needs immediate attention sir, I can't take it anymore.

Even a body repair shop is right in the square and houses right down to the lane to Reid's abandoned quarry.

#JPS

Citizens Call For Bushing To Be Done In Kingston

The following message came from A Bark Di Trute supporter: 

Hi Vernon 

This is from the back gate of Calabar Mews straight down to L'Aventura 's entrance. Pedestrians are unable to walk on the sidewalk.

Thanks. Have a blessed day.

Editor's Note

Mr Audley Gordon and his team will be advised. I hope they get to it soon because they still have significant Melissa cleanup to do.

This area is off Washington Boulevard in Kingston.

#NSWMA

Please add your comments at the bottom of the blog. Share this blog with all your friends and relatives.

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Remember that Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day without your support. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.

You can view the blog with your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar to see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles. There is also a weather link, which you can use to track hurricanes.

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