Academic and senior administrative workers at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona have scheduled the date of January 5 as the beginning of their industrial action, if their requests for temporary wage increases are not met.
After an urgent member meeting on November 30, the West Indies Group of University Teachers (WIGUT) Jamaica issued a warning to the government and the university administration.
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The union, which represents around 900 top administrative, professional, and academic employees, raised the stakes when it announced the January 5 deadline in a newsletter titled “Action time” on December 22.
Professor Paul Brown, the president of WIGUT Jamaica, stated that although there have been informal conversations with the finance and education ministries, there have been negotiations with the university’s administration.
“A lot depends on what happens now, clearly, with the line ministries,” He informed the press.
According to the union’s bulletin, there has been “no meaningful offer on an interim financial relief/ cost-of-living package” while an evaluation of compensation is happening.
The employees request a temporary 25% raise in pay and related benefits, which must be paid by February 29 at the latest.
“We, the West Indies Group of University Teachers (Jamaica) ask you, our members, to act. The actions you take are to express to the Government of Jamaica and The University of the West Indies our total disgust at the situation,” the text stated.
It also added that members, “shall engage in all actions relevant to their job category”.
Withholding grades, skipping meetings, not uploading course materials, skipping academic advising sessions, not offering learning help, and not offering systems support until an emergency occurs are the six protest activities.
Though students anticipate receiving their marks far sooner in order to register for courses, teaching is planned to start for the second semester on January 22.
“Our main paymaster, the Government of Jamaica, is our target. Sadly, protest action is the only way now to get their attention,” the newsletter noted.
“We should exercise discretion and flexibility where required. We should, at all costs, avoid any long-term harm to those whom we serve.”
According to reports, the UWI and the finance ministry are wrapping up their contract with an international consulting firm to conduct the institution’s staff pay review.
It is projected that the report will be released in May 2024.
The WIGUT-represented employees, however, are worried that no negotiated deal will come about for some months after that.
Dr. Donovan Stanberry, the registrar of UWI Mona, stated that he was unable to predict if the payment demand would be fulfilled at this time.
“We are aware of the notice issued by WIGUT and the management of The UWI Mona is fully engaged with the union to find a resolution to the issue,” he said that discussions are also happening with the government, as he informed the newspaper.
