By Kimone Witter
The Jamaica Teachers' Association says a formal response from Friday's delegates vote on the wage offer under the new public sector compensation scheme will be sent to the Ministry of Finance today.
More than 500 teachers voted against the offer.
JTA President La Sonja Harrison said some teachers are concerned about their placement within some of the 11 bands educators have been restricted to, which will affect their compensation.
She said there are at least 10 sticking points that have to be ironed out before it can be said an agreement is close to being signed.
According to Mrs Harrison, teachers are anxious to have the process completed but are willing to hold out for a more attractive offer to halt teacher migration.
Noting that the matter is about "saving education", Mrs Harrison said the association would "remain diligent [and] surgical in our approach to reduce the anomalies" during the negotiation.
The JTA president said the inability to replace teachers as quickly as they depart continues to place immense pressure on their colleagues.
She said during Friday's delegate vote in St. Andrew, several pincipals reported that their schools are short-staffed by as many as 11 teachers.
Mrs Harrison was speaking today on TVJ's Smile Jamaica.
