The Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) has pointed out that in addition to the non-payment of graduate allowance, two more issues are causing public school teachers to be restive.

In a statement yesterday, the JTA said teachers are also upset about the non-payment of retroactive mileage allowance for the April to November 2022 period and the slow pace of salary negotiations for the 2025 to 2028 period.

In relation to the second issue, the JTA noted that the Finance Ministry had agreed to pay mileage to travelling officers at a rate of $100 per kilometre, with effect from April 1, 2022.

This agreement required a retroactive amount for the period April 1, 2022 to November 30, 2022.

The JTA said the Finance Ministry indicated that the funds for this payment would be included in the last supplementary estimates for the 2024/2025 fiscal year.

This was passed in the House of Representatives on October 15, 2024.

The JTA said it laments the non-payment of these funds with one pay period left in this fiscal year.

The association is demanding that the payment be made with immediate effect.

As for the third issue, the JTA said, in keeping with the agreement between the government and the Joint Confederation of Trade Unions, it had adjusted its claim cycle to submit the claim for the period by November 30, 2024.

This was to facilitate the conclusion of the negotiations by March 31, 2025.

The JTA said the timeline would see teachers receive the increments, which were unilaterally withheld during the 2022/2025 contract period.

It said, to date the JTA was called to one meeting, on January 28, 2025 to clarify the claim submitted.

Pointing out that, with March commencing later this week, teachers have reached the end of their patience.

The JTA has therefore indicated that it will not accept any attempts to renege on the payment of the annual increments, in accordance with the dates specified in the agreement due to the fact that it believes that the Finance Ministry orchestrated the timing through its non-engagement of the negotiation process.

The JTA said it stands ready to negotiate this claim and eagerly awaits a call from the Finance Ministry to treat with these very important matters.