Academic, senior administrative and professional staff at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Campus have withdrawn their threat of industrial action.

The workers are represented by the West Indies Group of University Teachers (WIGUT) Jamaica, the Mona Administrative and Technical Staff Association (MONATS) and the University Allied Workers Union (UAWU).

They had threatened to take action if concerns regarding compensation were not addressed by the Finance Ministry.

A statement from the UWI Mona today indicated that the threat was withdrawn following a meeting yesterday, with representatives of the university’s senior management team, Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke, Education Minister Fayval Williams, as well as the three unions representing UWI staff. 

The UWI Mona said a mechanism was put in place to work out an interim salary adjustment, to be presented to the Finance Minister by month end, for consideration. 

The interim salary adjustment will subsist until a comprehensive salary review is completed. 

The institution acknowledged the importance of addressing the concerns raised by faculty and staff and stressed that it is committed to fostering dialogue towards sustainable solutions and seeking an amicable resolution. 

Meanwhile, WIGUT has indicated that it’s satisfied that measures are being taken to resolve the issues relating to compensation, resulting in staff opting to not go ahead with the planned industrial action.

WIGUT President Professor Paul Brown said a committee has been set up to examine a cost-of-living compensation package. 

He said the staff members are also satisfied that the compensation review process will be conducted in the next fiscal year.