Public Sector Wage Disputes of 2017
This is a timeline of events and articles surrounding the public sector wage disputes in 2017 and 2018.
Last updated at 12:45 on September 14, 2018.
This is a selection of cartoons from The Gleaner, by Las May.
2016
Nov 17: Public Sector Job Cuts To Begin August 2017 (The Gleaner)
2017
Jan 05: Job cuts to come under public sector transformation (RJR News)
Jan 11: 140 civil service posts abolished (The Gleaner)
Mar 13: Public sector workers reviewing wage claims amid new taxes (RJR News)
Jun 06: Public sector wage negotiations delayed (RJR News)
Jul 28: JCTU submits request for 60% public sector wage increase (Nationwide)
Aug 11: Police concerned about changes governing resignation (RJR News)
Aug 14: Cops must give 6-month resignation notice (Jamaica Observer)
Aug 14: Cops now required to give six-month notice of any planned resignation (Loop News)
Aug 22: JTA disappointed by late start for wage talks (RJR News)
Aug 22: JTA rejects government wage offer (The Gleaner)
Aug 23: Teachers reject government's wage offer (Jamaica Observer)
Aug 24: Shaw calls for cool heads in public sector wage talks (The Gleaner)
Aug 25: PNP says amendment to JCF Act to imprison police ill-advised (Jamaica Observer)
Sep 14: Fire Brigade workers end industrial action (Nationwide)
Sep 15: IMF doesn't agree with local officials on growth projections (The Gleaner)
Sep 15: Speed up public sector wage talks, IMF urges Jamaican Government (RJR News)
Sep 15: IMF urges gov't to accelerate public sector wage negotiations (The Gleaner)
Sep 17: IMF says public sector reform needs urgent attention (Jamaica Observer)
Oct 24: IMF repeats call for faster public sector reform (The Gleaner)
Oct 24: IMF wants gov't to conclude wage talks and reduce public sector wage bill (RJR News)
Nov 08: JTA expresses disappointment and disgust over government's wage offer (Jamaica Observer)
Nov 08: Finalising public sector wage negotiations is vital – IMF (Loop Jamaica)
Nov 09: Government resumes wage talks, but no agreement with unions in sight (Jamaica Observer)
Nov 10: St. Thomas teachers furious about government's wage offer (RJR News)
Nov 12: Gov't faces challenges with public sector reform (Jamaica Observer)
Nov 13: NAJ calls members to extraordinary meeting (Nationwide)
Nov 15: Job losses in the public sector won't be automatically absorbed by private sector (RJR News)
Nov 15: Leaner Public Sector Coming (The Gleaner)
Nov 15: Nurses reject government's wage offer (RJR News)
Nov 16: Nurses reject government's wage offer (Loop Jamaica)
Nov 18: IMF boss insists public sector trimming necessary in Jamaica (The Gleaner)
Nov 19: PSTOC co-chair suggests new approach to public sector wage talks (The Gleaner)
Nov 22: NAJ wage negotiations with gov't at a standstill (RJR News)
Nov 23: Government's wage offer to nurses is an insult, the PNP says (Jamaica Observer)
Nov 23: Wage talks gone cold, says NAJ (Nationwide)
Nov 23: Nurses take industrial action due to stalled wage talks (RJR News)
Nov 23: 90% of nurses absent from work at some health facilities (The Gleaner)
Nov 23: Health ministry moves to reduce impact of nurse strike (Jamaica Observer)
Nov 24: Nurses' strike: Health Ministry moves to shore up hospital services (Loop Jamaica)
Nov 24: Emergency plans in place for nurses' protest (The Gleaner)
Nov 25: General Council unanimously rejects government's wage offer (JTA)
Nov 26: JTA announces rejection of wage offer at conference (Loop Jamaica)
Nov 26: Teachers reject government's 6% wage offer (The Gleaner)
Nov 28: Teachers' strike looms (Jamaica Star)
Nov 28: NAJ and Police Federation still concerned about wage negotiations (RJR News)
Dec 01: JTA to respond to government if it makes no better wage offer (Loop Jamaica)
Dec 05: Government postpones wage meeting; JTA disappointed (The Gleaner)
Dec 06: JTA disappointed over postponed wage talks (Loop Jamaica)
Dec 09: IMF concerned about slow pace of public sector wage talks (RJR News)
Dec 10: ‘Get on with it’, urges IMF of public sector wage talks (Loop Jamaica)
Dec 10: "Unreasonable" says JCTU President concerning wage negotiations (RJR News)
Dec 11: Corporate area court impacted as rank and file police on 'Sick Out' (The Gleaner)
Dec 12: JTA disappointed with latest round of gov't wage negotiations (Nationwide)
Dec 12: Gov't playing games with public sector wage negotiations (Jamaica Observer)
Dec 12: IMF targets in focus as JTA and police reject wage offer (Loop Jamaica)
Dec 12: Latest public sector wage offer is a gimmick (The Gleaner)
Dec 12: Police sickout continues (Nationwide)
Dec 12: Cops sickout intensifies (The Gleaner)
Dec 14: Nurses set to reject the government's latest wage offer (Nationwide)
Dec 17: Gov't Senator joins call for gov't to conclude wage negotiations (The Gleaner)
Dec 19: EPOC urges acceleration of wage negotiations (The Gleaner)
Dec 19: Montague begs cops not to strike (The Gleaner)
Dec 20: Montague urges cops not to strike (Loop Jamaica)
Dec 20: More gov't wage negotiations with teachers and cops today (The Gleaner)
Dec 20: JTA blasts gov't over 'unofficial' postponement of wage talks (Jamaica Observer)
Dec 20: Teachers feel disrespected as government calls off meeting again (The Gleaner)
Dec 23: No date set for wage talks with civil servants (Nationwide)
Dec 23: Police on sickout (RJR News)
Dec 24: Police 'sick' again (The Gleaner)
Dec 25: Militant JTA President tells teachers to listen for call to action (The Gleaner)
Dec 25: Teachers signal industrial action 'oh so close' (Loop Jamaica)
Dec 28: Attorney-General labels police sickout as "industrial action" (Nationwide)
Dec 29: Civil Service Association wants early meeting for resumption of wage talks (The Gleaner)
Dec 30: JCSA looks forward to 2018 wage talks (Loop Jamaica)
Dec 30: "Time to start serving" says Kenroy Edwards (The Gleaner)
Dec 30: PNP concerned about wage negotiations' effect on targets (The Gleaner)
2018
Jan 01: Police High Command requests names of cops in sickout (Jamaica Observer)
Jan 01: PM Optimistic About Common Ground On Public Sector Wage Talks (The Gleaner)
Jan 01: UAWU wants renegotiation of public sector wage component of IMF deal (RJR News)
Jan 01: "Time for the politicians to know sacrifice" says Kenroy Edwards (Jamaica Observer)
Jan 02: Holness weighs in on public sector wage dispute in New Year's message (RJR News)
Jan 02: PM to meet with Police Federation over wage dispute (RJR News)
Jan 02: PM promises to step up pace of public sector reform (Nationwide)
Jan 02: JTA heads back to Finance Ministry tomorrow (Jamaica Observer)
Jan 02: JTA to continue wage talks with government tomorrow (RJR News)
Jan 03: More calls for gov't to review wage-to-GDP target with IMF (The Gleaner)
Jan 03: PM wants Cabinet input in police wage issue (Jamaica Observer)
Jan 03: Cabinet to meet over wage stalemate with Police Federation (The Gleaner)
Jan 03: Nurses approaching wage talks with open mind (Nationwide)
Jan 03: Government and restive teachers to meet today (The Gleaner)
Jan 03: JTA and gov't return to wage negotiation table (Nationwide)
Jan 03: Threat of mass unrest in pubic sector as unions reject 6% wage offer (RJR News)
Jan 03: Public sector wage talks resume; police case for Cabinet next week (Loop Jamaica)
Jan 03: Gov't has no room to offer public sector workers more, says EPOC Co-Chair (Nationwide)
Jan 03: JTA meets with Finance Ministry for wage talks (RJR News)
Jan 03: JTA demands Cabinet response on wages by 5pm on Monday (Jamaica Observer)
Jan 03: NHT worries employees on edge, but agency says news of cuts untrue (Jamaica Observer)
Jan 03: PNP vs JLP style wage negotiations (Jamaica Observer)
Jan 04: JTA accusing government of delay tactics in wage negotiations (The Gleaner)
Jan 04: JTA issues Monday ultimatum for Cabinet response to wage claims (Nationwide)
Jan 04: Public sector workers deserve better (Jamaica Observer)
Jan 04: JCTU not convinced that gov't can't afford better wage offer (The Gleaner)
Jan 04: Unions getting more restive over public sector wage offer (RJR News)
Jan 05: Tensions brew at NHT after breakdown of wage talks (RJR News)
Jan 05: Labour Ministry calls emergency meeting with NHT workers (Nationwide)
Jan 05: JTA wants answers from cabinet on Monday (Jamaica Observer)
Jan 05: Start layoffs from the top (Jamaica Observer)
Jan 05: PNP urges gov't to settle wage dispute with public sector workers (The Gleaner)
Jan 05: PNP urges gov't to settle wage dispute with public sector workers (Jamaica Observer)
Jan 05: JCTU bemoans public sector industrial relations climate (Nationwide)
Jan 05: JCTU asks Cabinet to discuss all public sector wage concerns at next meeting (RJR News)
Jan 05: JCTU urges Cabinet to discuss all public sector wages (Nationwide)
Jan 05: Public sector sickout likely next week (The Gleaner)
Jan 06: Public sector could be 'sick' - they are unhappy with Monday's talk (The Gleaner)
Jan 06: Holness' short-term memory (Jamaica Observer)
Jan 06: Nurses and teachers complain about tone of wage talks with gov't (RJR News)
Jan 06: Government urged to change approach to wage negotiations (RJR News)
Jan 06: Unions threaten mass sick-out if gov't does not improve wage offer (Loop Jamaica)
Jan 08: Crucial Cabinet meeting today on public sector wage issue (RJR News)
Jan 08: Public sector groups on high alert as Cabinet discusses wages (The Gleaner)
Jan 08: Uncertainty looms over schools; teachers hint at industrial action (The Gleaner)
Jan 08: Education Minister hoping for resolution to avoid industrial action (The Gleaner)
Jan 08: Education Minister on "high alert" for protest action (RJR News)
Jan 08: Police eagerly anticipating outcome of Cabinet meeting (Jamaica Observer)
Jan 09: Government fails to respond to JTA ultimatum (RJR News)
Jan 09: JTA pleased with favourable fringe benefits response from government (RJR News)
Jan 09: Considerations of fringe benefits eases tension between gov't and teachers (The Gleaner)
Jan 09: Wage talks improve with consideration of fringe benefits for teachers (Jamaica Observer)
Jan 09: Cabinet to go on retreat with several issues high on the agenda (Nationwide)
Jan 09: Wage negotiations and other things to be discussed at 3-day retreat (Jamaica Observer)
Jan 09: Union representing gov't workers puts industrial action plans on hold (The Gleaner)
Jan 10: Cabinet retreat begins at Jamaica House today (Jamaica Observer)
Jan 10: Gov't begins 3-day retreat today (The Gleaner)
Jan 10: Public sector unions to hear soon whether gov't has improved its wage offer (RJR News)
Jan 10: Gov't offers teachers improved fringe benefits (RJR News)
Jan 10: PM's fringe benefits appeal eases tensions between gov't and teachers (The Gleaner)
Jan 10: Teachers pull back; now awaiting word from Cabinet retreat (Jamaica Observer)
Jan 11: Gov't offers teachers improved fringe benefits (RJR News)
Jan 11: Houses for teachers among proposed fringe benefits offer from gov't (The Gleaner)
Jan 11: Public sector unions upbeat about Cabinet retreat talks on wages (Nationwide)
Jan 11: Two-mouthed Peter Phillips (The Gleaner)
Jan 12: Unions representing public sector workers await news from gov't (Loop Jamaica)
Jan 13: The IMF and public sector wage negotiations in Jamaica (Global Research)
Jan 14: Public sector employment, compensation and transformation (Jamaica Observer)
Jan 14: Everything crash (Jamaica Gleaner)
Jan 14: Early retirement packages now being offered to civil servants (The Gleaner)
Jan 15: PM to meet with public sector unions this week (The Gleaner)
Jan 15: HLSTUEI to host forum on public sector pay issue (Jamaica Observer)
Jan 16: Gov't should use NIDS speed to close public sector wage deal (Jamaica Observer)
Jan 16: Public forum to discuss adversarial nature of wage negotiations (Jamaica Observer)
Jan 17: Shaw says 2018/19 Budget Debate to start in February (Jamaica Observer)
Jan 17: Gov't to move with alacrity in resolving public sector wage talks (Jamaica Observer)
Jan 17: Nurses disappointed with talks with Prime Minister (Nationwide)
Jan 17: Nurses still unhappy following meeting with Prime Minister (RJR News)
Jan 18: Gov't claims to be close to agreement with public sector workers (Nationwide)
Jan 19: Finance Minister confident wage negotiations will end soon (JIS)
Jan 19: Special early retirement programme for public sector workers (Jamaica Observer)
Jan 19: Shaw claims no new taxes in upcoming budget (The Gleaner)
Jan 19: Shaw's Mayberry speech well received (Jamaica Observer)
Jan 19: Gov't offers special early retirement to some public sector workers (RJR News)
Jan 20: Early retirement option offered to qualified Government employees (Loop Jamaica)
Jan 22: Shaw pushes to conclude public sector wage talks (The Gleaner)
Jan 24: Wage deal appears to be in the making with public sector workers (RJR News)
Jan 25: Prime Minister meets with Police Federation (RJR News)
Jan 26: The adversarial approach does not work (Jamaica Observer)
Jan 26: Gov't targets minimum 1800 for early retirement (The Gleaner)
Jan 29: Wage deal near? (Jamaica Observer)
Jan 30: The old wage negotiating habits must die (Jamaica Observer)
Feb 02: Nurses object to 4-year wage agreement (RJR News)
Feb 10: JTA President urges teachers to be on high alert (Jamaica Observer)
Feb 10: Public sector teachers placed on high alert (RJR News)
Feb 16: JCTU signs new 4-year wage deal with gov't (Nationwide)
Feb 16: Gov't signs with some public sector groups (The Gleaner)
Feb 16: Gov't commits to maintaining 4-6% inflation rate (Nationwide)
Feb 16: USAAW breaks ranks with JCTU over its signing of a new wage deal (RJR News)
Feb 19: Key unions breaking ranks with JCTU on signing new gov't deals (Nationwide)
Feb 19: JCTU facing internal rift following its signing of new wage deal (RJR News)
Feb 20: Public sector wage ‘agreement’ under fire (Loop Jamaica)
Feb 20: UAWU withdraws from JCTU, in protest against signing new agreement (RJR News)
Feb 21: UAWU leaves JCTU, temporarily (Nationwide)
Feb 20: Teachers not liking latest wage offer, final decision March 3 (The Gleaner)
Feb 20: Police Federation rejects latest wage offer (RJR News)
Feb 20: Rank-and-file police reject latest wage offer from gov't (The Gleaner)
Feb 21: Workers who agree to gov't wage offer to get back pay by March 31 (Jamaica Observer)
Feb 21: Petrojam workers take industrial action over slow pace of wage talks (RJR News)
Feb 21: Some Petrojam workers on work to rule (The Gleaner)
Feb 22: NWU defends JCTU amid rift (RJR News)
Feb 25: Major unions accused of being useless and unhelpful to workers (The Gleaner)
Feb 26: Medical doctors agree to accept gov't wage offer (Nationwide)
Feb 26: Strike forces shutdown of blood bank and national public health lab (The Gleaner)
Feb 26: Health Ministry assessing impact of med tech strike (The Gleaner)
Feb 26: Meeting called amid strike among medical technologists (RJR News)
Feb 26: Health Ministry activates contingencies, as med techs strike (The Gleaner)
Feb 27: Med techs back at work (The Gleaner)
Mar 01: Low wage is bad economics, says UCASE President (Jamaica Observer)
Mar 02: Jamaica expected to pass next IMF test - EPOC (Loop Jamaica)
Mar 03: Public school teachers meet to decide on wage offer (The Gleaner)
Mar 03: JTA rejects gov't wage increase offer (RJR News)
Mar 03: JTA rejects gov't wage offer (Jamaica Observer)
Mar 03: Teachers reject wage offer by wide margin (The Gleaner)
Mar 04: Teachers the latest group to reject 16-in-4 offer (Loop Jamaica)
Mar 04: Teachers hang tough (The Gleaner)
Mar 07: JTA refuses gov't payments under rejected wage offer (RJR News)
Mar 07: JTA concerned about plans to pay teachers rejected wage offer (The Gleaner)
Mar 08: Gov't disrespectful to Jamaican workers, violating ILO convention (Jamaica Observer)
Mar 09: Gov't says it can't improve wage offer for public sector workers (RJR News)
Mar 09: Shaw says gov't can't do more for public sector workers (The Gleaner)
Mar 09: The gov't has done the best for public sector workers, claims Shaw (Loop Jamaica)
Mar 09: Shaw lauds trade unions that signed wage agreement (Jamaica Observer)
Mar 10: IMF renews call for leaner public sector (The Gleaner)
Mar 10: JTA President rejects Shaw's claim of 26% increase to teachers (The Gleaner)
Mar 10: Teachers militant (Jamaica Observer)
Mar 11: Teachers plan sickout to protest wage dispute with gov't (The Gleaner)
Mar 11: Don't strike in exam season, G2K asks teachers (Jamaica Observer)
Mar 11: 3-day school shutdown expected from Monday, as JTA flexes muscles (Loop Jamaica)
Mar 11: Education Ministry plans for sickout by teachers (The Gleaner)
Mar 11: Education Ministry announces contingency plans (Jamaica Observer)
Mar 11: Education Ministry activates contingency plans (RJR News)
Mar 11: Shaw says that hiking taxes to pay teachers is not an option (The Gleaner)
Mar 12: Higher wages means more taxes, says Shaw (Jamaica Observer)
Mar 12: Gov't wage offer an insult to workers (The Gleaner)
Mar 12: Police Federation talking tough on wages, promises relentless battle (The Gleaner)
Mar 12: Strike jitters (Jamaica Observer)
Mar 12: Public schools disrupted as teachers fail to turn up (The Gleaner)
Mar 12: Parents speak out on teachers' strike (Loop Jamaica)
Mar 12: JTA silent on islandwide teachers' strike (The Gleaner)
Mar 12: JTA says it is not fazed by tactics aimed at discrediting it (Jamaica Observer)
Mar 12: Teachers stay away from class over salary increases (Antigua News Room)
Mar 13: Teachers take islandwide industrial action (Nationwide)
Mar 13: Standoff, school lockdown; teacher's protest enters day 2 (The Gleaner)
Mar 13: Teacher sickout enters day 2 (Loop Jamaica)
Mar 13: Students' Council body urges JTA and gov't to resolve dispute (The Gleaner)
Mar 13: Teachers' strike could have been avoided (Nationwide)
Mar 13: Parents help to man schools out West (The Gleaner)
Mar 13: Parents support teachers' strike, says NPTAJ (Nationwide)
Mar 13: Manchester schools struggle with ongoing action by teachers (The Gleaner)
Mar 13: St. Ann, St. Mary schools also hit by teacher sickout (Jamaica Observer)
Mar 13: Phillips presses gov't to make better wage offer to teachers (Nationwide)
Mar 13: JCTU writes PM, warning against payment of rejected salaries (The Gleaner)
Mar 13: JCTU writes PM over possible breach of labour relations (RJR News)
Mar 13: Militant police sound warning (The Gleaner)
Mar 13: JTA President denies public school teachers are on strike (The Gleaner)
Mar 13: JTA unable to meet with gov't (Jamaica Observer)
Mar 13: JTA requests rescheduled emergency conciliation meeting (RJR News)
Mar 13: JTA asks for emergency conciliatory meeting to be postponed (The Gleaner)
Mar 14: Teacher sickout continues as conciliatory meeting doesn't materialise (Loop Jamaica)
Mar 14: Teachers will not be paid wage increase this month (The Gleaner)
Mar 14: Labour Ministry summons JTA, Education Ministry, and Finance Ministry (Nationwide)
Mar 14: Be creative at the bargaining table (The Gleaner)
Mar 14: The politics of education (Jamaica Observer)
Mar 14: Public sector workers locked in 4-year agreement (The Gleaner)
Mar 14: JCTU considering response to 4-year wage cycle (The Gleaner)
Mar 16: Public sector teachers get new wage offer (RJR News)
Mar 21: Nurses and teachers unions accept government's backpay (Nationwide)
May 09: Nurses' exodus continues... UK now big drawing card (Loop Jamaica)
May 11: Teachers accept gov't wage offer (RJR News)
May 12: JTA accepts gov't wage offer (Nationwide)
May 16: Gov't and teachers sign wage agreement (JIS)
May 23: Treat Our Nurses Better, Implores Abrahams (The Gleaner)
Jul 16: Government's latest wage offer disrespectful, says Police Federation (The Gleaner)
Jul 21: Air traffic controllers say wage talks unproductive (The Gleaner)
Aug 27: Government Begins Wage Negotiations with Teachers (MOF)
Sep 04: Police Federation ticked off by delay in wage talks (The Gleaner)
Sep 04: Finance Minister denies shutting down wage talks with Police Federation (RJR News)
Sep 04: Clarke responds to Police Federation on wage talks (The Gleaner)
Sep 05: Police demand wage meeting by Friday (Jamaica Observer)
Sep 06: Public servants need assurance there are rewards up ahead (Jamaica Observer)
Sep 10: Phillips chides gov't for delayed wage talks with police, nurses (RJR News)
Sep 12: Nurses, gov't reach wage agreement (RJR News)
Sep 12: Gov’t, nurses sign wage agreement (Jamaica Observer)
Sep 13: Nurses Sign Four Year Wage Deal With Government (Irie FM)
Sep 13: Gov’t, NAJ sign wage agreement (Loop Jamaica)
Sep 13: Nurses agree to wage increase and benefits package with gov’t (Nationwide)