The Jamaica Teachers Association (JTA) has called an emergency meeting of its general council for next week, to discuss the wage negotiation issue.

Representatives of the JTA met today (Mar 16) with the government at the resumption of wage talks, following a 3 day sick out by teachers.

The teachers have rejected governments 16 percent wage increase over 4 years and had also indicated that if government pays the first years increase in the March salaries, it will not be accepted.

The Labour Ministry intervened and the teachers were assured that, instructions given to Education Ministry officials to make the payment this month, will not be carried out.

JTA President Georgia Waugh Richards says todays wage talk with government will be discussed at the JTA emergency meeting next Monday, March 19.