Finance Minister Fayval Williams has expressed disappointment with the Jamaica Teachers Association, JTA, after it issued an ultimatum for her ministry to make a better wage offer.

Yesterday the JTA said if  the Finance Ministry does not make an offer better than the current 7 percent, by midnight Sunday August 17, it reserves the right to activate all its machinery to respond.

The ultimatum came after yesterday’s meeting between the parties ended abruptly, when the ministry failed to make an acceptable wage offer.

In a statement last evening Mrs Williams said while it is disappointing that the members of the JTA’s leadership chose not to continue the discussions at yesterday’s meeting, the ministry remains committed to the matter of wage and fringe benefits negotiations. 

She said she remains willing to continue the discussions in good faith, with the aim of arriving at an outcome that is sustainable, equitable and in the best interest of the nation.