President of the Jamaica Teachers Association Georgia Waugh Richards is imploring teachers that if they decide to take action about governments wage offer, they should do so in a professional manner.

Speaking at a JTA meeting in St. Thomas yesterday (Nov 10), Mrs. Waugh Richards reiterated that the islands teachers have rejected the 6 percent wage increase offered by government.

She says if the teachers had relented and accepted the offer, it would have only resulted in a slim difference in salary.

She notes that a trained teacher with a Bachelor’s degree in teacher education, would only get about $300 more, per month.

Some educators at the meeting in St. Thomas told the JTA President that there should be a lock down, or work to rule in schools across the country, to send government a strong message.

They complained about being unable to pay their rent, so they have to be hiding from landlords.

Having rejected the 6 percent offer, the JTA is in the process of hosting island wide consultation with the membership to determine the next move.