Cross-island protest by UTech staff

Members of the academic and the administrative staff unions at the University of Technology, Jamaica, this morning staged a silent protest, just days after rejecting the Government's latest wage offer.

The groups, who launched the action at various points across the island, say they are not on strike and classes will not be disrupted. 

The action started as early as 7:00 a.m. at the school's Papine Campus in St Andrew, and quickly spread to the Western Jamaica Campus in St James, as well as the ministry of education's office at Heroes Circle in Kingston. 

The employees were spotted hoisting placards bearing calm, but firm demeanours as they continue to voice their discontent with the wage offer. 

Dr Audrey Gittens, the University of Technology Academic Staff Union (UTASU) representative in western Jamaica, noted that the offer which was made goes against the expected goal of keeping the best academic minds in the education sector.

"The overall overarching goal of the Government of Jamaica is to provide excellent service in all its sectors, and the education sector is no different, and particularly in our case, the quality of what we deliver is no different. We do agree with the Government of Jamaica that in order to attract and retain the best talent, the compensation must be attractive," she said.

"However, the package which was presented to the university staff is not in tandem with even the goal of the Government of Jamaica to attract and retain the best, and at this time we have said a resounding 'no' to what was offered," Gittens added.

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