JTA president promises swift action as clerical staff restive over outstanding payments

President of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA), Mark Malabver, is seeking to assure that outstanding issues affecting clerical staff at the union are now receiving urgent attention, following reports that workers became restive while on duty this morning.

The workers are reportedly disgruntled over payments.

“Yes, I’ve just received some text messages regarding outstanding matters that we need to address expeditiously,” Malabver told reporters in Montego Bay, St James, earlier today.

“These matters have been outstanding for a while, and they have now reached a level that clearly demands my attention.”

Malabver explained that the issues predate his presidency and have remained unresolved for several years.

“These matters preceded my tenure as president. They have been outstanding for a couple of years now, I gather, so we will have to address them going forward,” he said.

According to the JTA president, the concerns relate to the recalculation of outstanding payments owed to staff.

“There are some outstanding matters with respect to the calculation—a recalculation of certain amounts owed. That recalculation has been completed, and I was just apprised of what that figure looks like,” he noted.

Malabver said discussions with the union’s secretary-general are imminent and signalled a resolution soon.

“The members are quite within their right to be restive based on what I am gathering, and they have my assurance as president that I will give the matter the attention it deserves,” he said, adding that the issue “will definitely be addressed in the coming days.”

- Albert Ferguson

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