August 31, 2026
NAJ says it is awaiting its second call to meet with Finance Ministry to continue wage negotiations
Written bySugar Ray Thomas
The Nurses Association of Jamaica (NAJ) says it is awaiting its second call to meet with the Finance Ministry to continue wage negotiations.
Speaking with IRIE FM News today, NAJ President, Dawn Marie Richards, says the union submitted its negotiating proposal to the Ministry some time ago.
She notes that the association met with the Finance Ministry earlier this year, and is now awaiting another round of discussions.
The Ministry of Finance and the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU) formally signed the wage agreement for public sector workers last week.
The package includes an $80,000 tax-free one-time grant in the first year of the agreement, a five per cent salary increase for the 2026/2027 financial year, and a further five per cent increase for 2027/2028.
However, other groups, like the nurses and teachers, have yet to complete their negotiations.
Meanwhile, when asked to comment on the wage deal agreed to by the JCTU, Ms Richards expressed disappointment over the salary increase.
She said historically, this sets the pace for talks between the Government and other unions as it relates to basic salary.
