DELEGATES of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) on Friday rejected Government’s compensation package at a special conference of the association at the Wolmers’ Boys’ School in Kingston.

A JTA release said 585 delegates voted, with 560 voting to reject the offer, 24 voting to accept, while one ballot was rejected.In light of the overwhelming rejection, the JTA said it will be writing to the Ministry of Finance outlining the outcome of the meeting and seeking an improved offer and a request to return to the bargaining table at the soonest possible time.

The conference was called following a week of consultation with JTA members islandwide.

President of the JTA La Sonja Harrison, in an interview with the Jamaica Observer earlier this week, said there were several challenges faced by the association during the negotiations.

“There are things we certainly continue to have negotiations and talks with the Government about, if it is that we are serious about retention of experienced and quality teachers. If we are serious about the sustenance of an education system, driven by Jamaican educators, then our Government really needs to rethink and come again,” Harrison said.