NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2024 47 JTA 60TH ANNIVERSARY FEATURE Assistance also came from the NUT, to which the Union was affiliated in 1906. The road to affiliation began as early as 1897 but was not consummated until a decade later. The affiliation gave the JUT not only prestige but also bolstered its standing in a colonial society where the idea of trade unionism was not tolerated. With a strong and profitable Teachers’ Mutual Aid Society, a growing Reserve Fund, increasing membership and a constant income from fees, the future of JUT was secure. The Union counted among its membership, both fee-paying and honorary members, the Likes of the Bishop of Jamaica, and other members of the various clergy, Members of the Legislature, Lawyers, Mayors and Councillors. The list of Honorary members also included many of Kingston’s business leaders. Indeed, an honorary membership of the JUT was deemed a coveted privilege. 97 CHURCH STREET From its base at 97 Church Street, the Union went on to acquire the adjoining properties to the south and north until, by the 1990 its proprietary acquisitions encompassed the entire block bordered by North and Charles streets, on the north and south and Love Lane and Church Street on the west and east. The last of the acquisitions was made in the 1980s, and now houses the main offices of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association. It must be asserted here that the creation of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association in April 1964 by merger of the then FIVE teachers’ unions was the obsession of the four-time President of the JUT, Edith Dalton James. Edith Dalton James headed the JUT in 1949 and was returned as its President in 1951, 1954 and 1962. She also has the distinction of being the first Jamaican to serve as President of the Caribbean Union of Teachers, paving the way for past presidents like Byron Farquharson and the current President, Dr Garth Anderson. EDITH DALTON JAMES It was Edith Dalton James’ prime directive to see the unity of the Teaching profession. She was not just the first woman President to head the JUT but was the first non-Principal to do so. The unity of the teaching profession was not only the dream of Edith Dalton James, but was the prime directive of the JUT from its inception. So, it was exceedingly opportune that during her fourth and final stint at the JUT presidency the wheels were set in motion with the creation of the Joint Executives of the [then existing] Teachers Associations (JETA) commissioned to chart the way to Unity. When Unity was finally achieved in 1964, it was the assets of the JUT, amassed over the previous seven decades which became the assets of the newly minted JTA. This asset base was already quite sizeable and was expertly managed by that small group of visionary guardians, the Trustees. WESLEY POWELL With prudent management of the funds and an almost Scrooge-like approach to spending, the Association’s Trustees picked up properties on Old Hope Road. This property was later sold to fund the development of 97B Church Street. This action was considered by members to have been the worst decision taken by the Trustees to date. The decision proved to be a very difficult one for Wesley Powell, a Trustee who was instrumental in the purchase of that property. Powell believed in the power of property. This was evident in his own enterprise in the acquisition of Antrim, the current home of the Excelsior Complex. It is to the Board of Trustees of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association that the membership of the Association owes a tremendous debt of gratitude. While more than thirty unions have formed and have disappeared since the promulgation of the 1919 Trade Union Act, the JUT/JTA continuum has not only persevered but has improved the status of the Jamaican teacher. Currently, the Association boasts landed property across Jamaica to the value of hundreds of millions of dollars and has evolved the requisite policies to ensure proper stewardship and accountability. The Association’s regional services are delivered in properties owned by it. These include Montego Bay, at Fairview; Little Bay, Port Maria; Mandeville, and Kingston from its central office. The Little Bay property and that at Fairview, Montego Bay, were acquired at the instrumentality of Trustee Ray Howell. MORE PROPERTY ACQUISITIONS In 1997 the Association’s Trustees brought an end to the age-old practice of boarding its out-of-Kingston Presidents, by purchasing a town house on Lady Musgrave Avenue. This enterprise was mainly spearheaded by Trustee Wilfred Titus. This was later replaced by the purchase of a larger unit at Coco Palm in Norbrook in 2010. Compliant with its object of caring for its membership after service, the Association, in alliance with the JTA Co-Operative Credit Union, purchased properties at 10 Fairway Avenue, in New Kingston to establish a retirement home for teachers. This objective is still being pursued. The creation of the Property and Business Unit in the JTA soon after the amalgamation is testimony of the persistence of the objects of the former JUT. This Unit, inspired by the Trustees, pioneered enterprises like The Teachers’ Book Stores Ltd, the International Goodwill group, which facilitated overseas tours, and the Jamaica Publishing House Ltd. Another important development aimed at improving the teachers’ well-being was the JTA Housing Co-Op. Limited and its subsidiaries, Furnishings Jamaica and Teachers’ Hardware. The Unit, in the early stages, sought to encourage entrepreneurship among teachers Herbert Brodber was the officer who first headed this Unit, giving way to Claudia Ferguson. The Association has continued to build on the solid foundation laid by our forebears who, just two generations from chattel slavery, created an entity which continues to inspire, aspire and achieve. Board of Trustees: Nadine Molloy, Chairman; Ray Howell, Garth Anderson, Paul Adams and Patrick Smith. Dr Garth Anderson Ray Howell Nadine Molloy Paul Adams Patrick Smith
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