Academic and administrative staff of the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Jamaica) amassed outside the gates the Papine campus in Kingston at Dome Street in Montego Bay on Monday in a silent protest against the Government of Jamaica’s most recent compensation offer. This follows the rejection by the staff unions of the latest compensation package under the Government’s public sector transformation initiative.
Dr. Tashieka Burris-Melville, public relations officer of the UTech Academic Staff Union (UTASU) expressed disappointment with the proposed package, emphasizing that it fell short of addressing the financial challenges faced by the university’s staff. “We are expecting to receive a package that aligns with the skills, the contributions and the qualifications of members of staff; it needs to be aligned with industry benchmarks.” Dr. Burris-Melville went on to underscore the importance of fair compensation, particularly considering the crucial role academic staff play in the nation’s development, stating that “if it is that UTech is to provide talent – qualified staff, then they have to present a package that will attract qualified and competent staff. We are asking for a constructive discussion to come to a satisfactory resolution – present a real package that aligns with what they would have presented to other universities.”
The need for UTech Jamaica’s staff to be fully compensated was supported by Rick Darby, President of the UTech Students’ Union, stating that he understood “the importance of having persons within the education sector compensated well, especially within that of the higher education sector” adding that this is necessary to “attract and maintain high quality staff to deliver the highest quality education required at this level.”
Students’ Union’s Concerns
However, Darby expressed his concern that the “issue surrounding compensation is lingering” and hopes that “the issues can be addressed and settled by the necessary personnels in short order to mitigate against any possible actions that could affect student life and education.”
Dr. Burris-Melville stated that UTASU is “asking the government to provide a compensation that matches with the market. They need to adhere to the principle of equity given that they would have outlined four key principles guiding public sector compensation, it must be aligned with those principles.”
UTech Jamaica has been at the centre of discussion regarding the compensation package offered to its staff under the Government’s the public sector transformation initiative. The majority of GoJ institutions signed-off on their packages by April 2023. UTech Jamaica received details of its compensation package earlier in January 2024 after the academic staff held back the posting of grades for semester 1.
After gathering at the main gate, staff in Kingston proceeded to the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service (MoFPS) to continue their action.
Reporter: Ardrene Edwards