MEETING OF CENTRAL EXECUTIVE
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2016
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Welcome to this the first regular meeting of the Central Executive for this Conference Year 2016-2017. It must always be seen as an honour and special opportunity to be the representative of your peers. This forum provides a flexible platform for all representatives to play their part. As usual, the issues in education and on the industrial scene are not always predictable but as good scouts we need to be always prepared. We give God thanks for sparing us from the onslaught of hurricane Matthew but we must empathize with those who suffered loss or even death. Special concern and support must be shown to Haiti our nearest neighbour. We hope that collectively we will play our part in assisting them.
We note with concern the number of our colleagues who have transitioned from this life in recent times and must express our sympathies to the schools from which they come. Of recent occurrence are colleagues from Kingston College, Norman Manley High, BethabaraInfant and Mt. Hermon Primary & Infant (Westmoreland). Colleagues, the clear message is that we cannot allow ourselves to be too stressed to the extent that we cannot take sometime to pamper ourselves. We must remind you that life is too short for us not to make the best of it.
Again, welcome and we look forward to your fulland active participation.
2.0FIFTY PERCENT (50%) TUITION REFUND
This process is an ongoing one. We received a list of over one hundred and sixty (160) persons whom they claim received payments between March and the end of September 2016.
3.0TERTIARY GRANT
By now all the beneficiaries of the first tranche of $10M should have received their payment. The closing date for the second tranche of $15M was September 30, 2016. The processing of the applicants is now taking place. We have received two hundred and fifty nine (259) applications. We hope that the payment to beneficiaries will take place by the end of this semester.
4.0OTHER OUTSTANDING ISSUES
We have still not had a meeting with the Ministry of Finance to bring closure to outstanding matters, some of which dates back to 2008-2010 contract period. This is of significance because we are approaching a new contract period.
5.0PREPARATION FOR NEW SALARY CLAIM
As part of the preparatory exercise towards making up our final claim, the Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee has issued a questionnaire to members. You are encouraged to inform as many members as possible of the need for them to participate in this exercise. We would like the responses by the end of October. The information gleaned will serve in a tangible way in making up our claim.
The information in the public space is that government wants to complete negotiations as early as possible. We are aiming to have our claim ready for ratification at General Council in November.
6.0TRAINING IN JAMAICA’S LABOUR LAWS
Dr. Mark Nicely, Mr. Doran Dixon, Mr. Clayton Hall and Mr. Devon Meek participated in a two-day course on Jamaica’s Labour Laws, October 24-25, 2016 at Golf View Hotel, Mandeville, Manchester. This was conducted by the Hugh Lawson Shearer Trade Union Institute, U.W.I.
7.0STUDY CIRCLE
Study Circle had a Convenors’ training exercise October 20-23, 2016 at the Mangos Hotel, Trelawny. We had 42 participants. From the preliminary report received it is agreed that it was a worthwhile exercise. The seeds are sown, we await the growth.
8.0TRAVEL AND WELLNESS GETAWAY
The Travel and Wellness Club promoted and executed a successful weekend of activities October 13-15, 2016. A feature of this Getaway was apowerful and informative presentation by Dr. Tony Vendryes.
We must ponder on the statement “We are using our teeth to dig our graves.” The formal launch of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU between the JTA and the National Health Fund (NHF)was done. It is hoped that the health concerns of our teachers will be addressed. We commend Mrs. Ferguson and her team for a successful activity.
9.0NEW TEACHERS’ SERMINAR
The Association has staged a successful set of New Teachers’ Seminars. We have seen increased number this year as well as a positive outlook towards the activity this year. The future seems bright with these “bright” looking new recruits. The Association must ensure that most of them become members.
The attendance is as follows:
REGION / ATTENDANCESOUTH EAST / 120
SOUTH CENTRAL / 148
WEST / 109
10.0LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP
The threat of hurricane Matthew disturbed the schedule for this activity. To date,
We have had leadership workshops in:
South East-61
South Central-68
In both locations, the activities were very successful. We commend you our leaders for your interest, commitment and leadership on the ground.
10.01EDU-VISION CONFERENCE
The Edu-Vision/E-Learning ICT in Education Conference is currently taking place October 26-28, 2016 at Moon Palace Hotel, Ocho Rios, St. Ann. The Association would have received an Award for our involvement and contribution as a partner for the activity over the years.
The following are the Association’s participants:
- President Howard Isaacs
- President Elect Georgia Waugh Richards
- Asst. Secretary General, Professional Services Charmaine Gooden Monteith and
- Communication and Public Relations OfficerLeaon Nash
10.02EDUCATIONAL TOURS
All tours have been placed on hold until the following reports are submitted:
- Canadian - Summer 2015
- Miami/Disney - Easter 2016
- China - Summer 2016
A protocol for tours will also be developed.
HAITI APPEAL FUND
10.01The Caribbean Unionof Teachers is co-ordinating an effort to provide financial assistance to Haiti. To this end we have written to our schools seeking their help. Again we ask you to play your part. All contributions should be made to the JTA by November 18, 2016.
10.02B.I.T.U. CLAIM
The Association has been served with a nineteen (19) point claim on behalf of Clerical, Accounting, Ancillary and Security Staff for the 2016-2018 Contract Period. The negotiation process will commence in November.
10.03MEMBERSHIP CARDS
The promise to provide suitable membership Cards with photographs is proving to be quite a challenge. We need to review this commitment in order to make it more realistic as well as achievable within a reasonable time frame.
10.04COMMITTEE MEETINGS
It should be noted that Committees are now meeting. Again, we acknowledge the efforts of all including Administrative Staff to keep the activities of the Association going. Committee is where the work is carried out.
10.05JTA ROLL OF HONOUR
We note that Mr. Juno Gayle will be the 2016 recipient of this very high award. Plans are ongoing for this activity to take place on Tuesday, November 29, 2016 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.
10.06HALF YEARLY MEETINGS
These will be held during November. A schedule of these meetings is laid on the table.
10.07CONTACT TEACHERS’ SEMINARS
Contact Teachers’ Seminars will commence on Saturday, November 4, 2016 and will be held in all regions during November. Members are to be reminded that the training will be for new Contact Teachers only.
10.07CONCLUSION
As we reflect on the awesome task that the teacher has to perform, sometimes under very challenging situations, one cannot help but applaud all of you stalwarts for your great work. There is so much on the plate of the teacher that we are kept going only by the mercies and grace of God. We again salute our heroes. Ray Howell being one of them, for their contribution. I pray that the sacrifice of these heroes of the profession will serve as motivation for those of us who are actively playing our role in nation building.
May we remain faithful as we continue to Unite and Serve.
Prepared by: Byron Farquharson
Secretary General
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