'We broke and we wah we money', UTech workers demand their retroactive pay

Several disgruntled administrative, technical, and ancillary workers of the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) stood infront of the gates of the institution with placards to protest over unpaid retroactive pay, arguing that the absence has left some workers scrambling to make ends meet.

The drove of protesting workers, mostly dressed in black, blocked and padlocked the entrances to the university.

Janet Grayson, president of the University of Technology Administrative Staff Association, said the workers are fed up that the Government and the university are yet to advise when they will receive retroactive payments, which has been owed to them for years.

She described the delay and silence as inconsiderate and disrespectful, noting that the money has been outstanding since the government's public sector reclassification exercise some three years ago.

Grayson said the stipulations of that initiative have not been implemented for non-academic staff at the institution up to today.

The chanting crowd brandished placards that read: "If no poverty is a priority for all, then somebody forgot about the tertiary level workers"; "Tomorrow when we gone, baddaration deh yah"; "We broke and we wah we money"; and "UTECH, Ja Administrative staff matter".

"We want to hear a payment date for our retroactive payment for the Government of Jamaica's reclassification... We have not received any pay and we have not received any retroactive payment," charged Grayson, as the singing protesters created a din behind her.

"The discussion prior was that we were to wait for the next financial year starting April 2025/2026, even though we had signed a heads of agreement on October 1, 2024, that stated that we would be paid at the end of this fiscal year, which is March 2025.

"When we pressed last week Friday, we were told that they were going to implement the pay in March 2025, however, when we pressed a little more and asked when the retroactive will be paid, no date was forthcoming," she continued, explaining that contrary to other sectors there has been no notification for them regarding retroactive payments.

Grayson said the financial constraints have been devastating for staff members and that it has begun to affect their performance, the operations of the institution, and, fundamentally, the service afforded to students of the tertiary institution.

"Staff are often absent from work. Staff are having to fight to make ends meet, and so while they should be at work they have to be roasting to make ends meet. Persons have been physically sick, some are going through mental situations, unable to pay their bills. There are institutions who are calling the university asking for persons who can't pay back their loans - simple $30,000 loans," continued Grayson, explaining that last week's meeting was between her, the president of the institution, and government representatives.

"People are sharing one patty and drink for lunch. Those are the things that the staff have to be undergoing at this time. The staff can't afford to buy lunch," continued Grayson.

"We will not relent until we get a date as to when our retroactive pay will be done."

- Corey Robinson

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