NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2024 18 JTA 60TH ANNIVERSARY FEATURE By Dr Winsome Gordon THIS IS the reflection seen through the eyes of a teenager in the 1960s and analysed by a mature woman in 2024. It is not an academic paper. On April 2, 1964, the Jamaica Teachers’ Association was launched in an inaugural conference that was held in the Excelsior School Hall, Kingston. Wesley Powell, principal of Excelsior High School and one of the association’s founding fathers, was already a name among educators. As a young teacher, I was happy that the profession of my choice had an association that was inclusive and not only a union. While the Jamaica Union of Teachers existed, the general ethos of the day was that unions were for the working class and not for teachers. An association was more palatable to the teachers than a union. Hence, the JTA was born and teachers would support its existence through the contribution of dues. Its first Secretary General Ben Hawthorne was instrumental in building capital for the JTA. He was respected and admired across the teaching profession. When Government took the decision that all persons in public offices would become civil servants, the JTA came out strongly against teachers becoming civil servants. Wesley Powell led the charge against the Government’s decision. He wore the symbolic pink bath towel on his shoulders and chanted, “We will not be civil servants.”Well, if Wesley Powell said that we would not be civil servants, then we would not be civil servants. At the time, I was not sure why. I later discovered that the Government was able to transfer civil servants overnight to any part of Jamaica. I also learnt that the power of transfer was used as a weapon against anyone who fell out of grace. Wesley Powell would steer the profession from any such manipulation. In the early years JTA was, not surprisingly, politically aligned to the People’s National Party. The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) was seen as the party for common labourers. The JTA did appear to harass the ministers of education when the JLP led the Government. I recall Fay Saunders, secretary general of JTA, making Dr Mavis Gilmour, minister of education, extremely uncomfortableconcerningsalaryincreases for which the Ministry of Finance was responsible. CANTANKEROUS JTA The attitude changed by the turn of the century, and there appeared to be a better balance in respect of the political parties. The dialogue between JTA and the Government was now driven by the perceived challenges of the profession rather than the party in power, a welcome approach by the teaching profession. There were thousands of teachers who did not care to align themselves with any seemingly cantankerous behaviour that was sometimes displayed by the JTA. We had high hope for increased salaries. My salary at the time was just over $24 monthly. This increased to $50 per month when I completed teachers’ college education. However, my rental was $10 per month, house lots were being sold for between $4,000 and $8,000, and a new car cost less than $1,000. Less than 50 per cent of the teachers were trained, and ambitious teachers wanted to go to university. Many teachers wanted to qualify themselves but were unable to do so on the salary. Hence, teachers welcomed the 1966 negotiations that resulted in study leave with six months full pay and six months halfpay. JTA also secured an annual sum of money from the national Budget for professional development. In later years, JTA negotiated a generous leave package for teachers and secured financial support for teachers who engaged in studies and did not take leave. The Code of Ethics developed by JTA was strongly enforced in the early years. Nonetheless, the constitution of the JTA required that all teachers be defended, good and bad alike. The relationship with the Government depended largely on the character of the president. Sometimes the relationship was rocky for the entire presidential year, at other times the president maintained good cooperation with the Government, recognising the strategic role of the Government in maintaining the power of the JTA. The JTA has always been highly respected by the Government and was invited to join and contribute to all efforts to bring about change in the education sector. Of course, the Government would always assume its ultimate responsibility, which is the well-being of the child and advancement of a sustainable society. The ‘60s into the ‘70s was a period of building the JTA to be a strong organisation that would withstand all kinds of challenges. JTA needed property. Funds had to be raised, and so lifetime membership was offered to members for $10. My husband, who was a JTA disciple, bought lifetime memberships for both of us. The money thus collected was used to buy the Ben Hawthorne building. The Housing Co-operative of the JTA provided shelter for many teachers. It negotiated with new housing schemes to ensure affordable houses for teachers and provided payment plans. It was a good idea, but it operated with too much heart and the business side weakened to the point of closure. The publishing house of the JTA continues to give opportunities to teachers to publish their works with reasonable support. The credit union supported teachers, and is in existence to this day. The ready, small credits allowed for small comforts; and sometimes an initial backup for big ventures. The JTA stood up to the vicissitudes that face people-based organisations. It has been rocked by scandal, competition and sometimes lethargy. But, JTA was built on a solid foundation and can withstand challenges. It witnessed the rise and fall of the National Union of Democratic Teachers and secured its place as the body that represents the largest number of teachers in Jamaica. In the‘80s, when hardships hit the economy, JTA reasoned with the Government for teachers to maintain their jobs and for no salary increases during the period. JTA called a few teacher strikes, bringing governments to the bargaining table. However, the organisation also learnt that if strikes were too drawn out, the parents would rise up against them. Still, teacher strikes remain a threat depending on demand, and the response of the Government. SECRETARIES GENERAL The idea for JTA fees to be deducted by the Ministry of Education from salary gave impetus to the JTA. It allowed for better planning, as the JTA was assured a minimum level of financing. Over the years, the JTA has tried to maintain a good balance between unionism and professionalism. Its negotiation with the Government always included a dimension of professional advancement beyond salaries. Thus, the introduction of the ‘Master Teacher’ designation in 1998, now institutionalised by the Government, is a major step in the career path of a teacher. The JTA boasts secretaries general who were able to maintain a good balance between unionism and professionalism, and between the JTA and the Government. Among them Dr Adolph Cameron stood tall. He was a no-nonsense person, and unruly teachers did not have his support. Fay Saunders, the only female secretary general, locked horns with the Government and served in a turbulent period. One could understand, as it was the time when teachers’salaries were being increased to a liveable wage in a changing economy. Other secretaries general carried out their tasks as expected. The teachers looked forward to the ceremonies of JTA and its awards. They would wonderfully outfit themselves for the occasions and arrive at the events feeling good about themselves. Today, 60 years later, JTA is an institution with the teaching profession. It shared, and continues to share, in the evolution of the Jamaica Teaching Council as its new companion, and a body that has the potential tolaunchandholdtheprofessiononaplain with all other professions. The JTA was clear that it would protect the rights of its membership should there be any indication that such rights would be undermined. Now, in the fourth and fifth Industrial Revolution, the teaching profession is clearly being challenged. What are the implications of microchips in the brains? Collaboration for the advancement of the profession safely into the new era is the emerging direction for the JTA. As such, it will navigate the digital waters and will remain relevant for a future generation of teachers. Dr Winsome Gordon is chief executive officer of the Jamaica Teaching Council. She wrote this, at the request of the JTA, in her capacity as an early member. REFLECTIONS ON THE JTA Dr Winsome Gordon Dr Mavis Gilmour, former minister of education Fay Saunders, former secretary general of the JTA From birth to maturity
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