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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