IRIE FM

The Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) is demanding an urgent meeting with the Government concerning the list of schools being merged, consolidated or closed.

President of the JTA, Lasonja Harrison, says the association is yet to be informed of the schools that have been signed off on.

She states that the JTA has also sent letters to the Ministry requesting the names of the schools.

The JTA is concerned about the children involved and the job security of teachers whose schools are being merged, consolidated or closed.

To this end, the JTA President assures that the association will be standing up for the teachers.

She was speaking on a tour of schools in Trelawny with representatives of the National Education Association of America from the United States.

The Association of Government Medical Consultants (AGMC) is questioning why the Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT) did not communicate with bargaining units about the delay in handing down its ruling on doctors’ overtime rates.

AGMC President Dr. Myrton Smith told IRIE FM News that while his association understands the need for the IDT to get the ruling right, there should at least have been dialogue about what was causing the delay.

Dr. Smith’s comments come after the IDT yesterday acknowledged concerns that “justice delayed is justice denied”, but maintained that “justice must also be careful”.

However, the AGMC President said that position does not explain the lack of communication with the parties involved.

This, as the Jamaica Medical Doctors’ Association (JMDA), the union at the centre of the overtime dispute, has said the IDT did not give a reason for the hold-up.

Dr. Smith noted that the doctors have been waiting for a ruling since April 1, which is in addition to the several months spent in negotiations with the Ministry of Finance, followed by meetings with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security before the matter was referred to the IDT.

The matter arose in 2023.

The matter has become increasingly urgent, with the JMDA warning of possible disruptions in the public health sector if there is no ruling by end of work day today.

Doctors have threatened industrial action effective tomorrow, Friday, October 2.

The AGMC said it supports any lawful action that its colleagues in the JMDA find necessary in pursuance of the justice they seek.

“We will not be pacified!”

That is the comment from President of the Jamaica Medical Doctors’ Association, Dr. Jubilee Brown Service, as she highlights members’ disappointment with the response from the Industrial Disputes Tribunal on the overtime rates matter.

It follows the JMDA’s threat of potential disruption within the public health sector if the Tribunal fails to deliver a ruling by tomorrow, Friday, October 2.

The doctors have been waiting for a ruling since April 1.

Speaking with IRIE FM News, Dr. Brown Service pointed out that the Tribunal offered no timeline for a ruling to be issued.

While describing the Tribunal’s response as unsatisfactory, the JMDA President said the doctors’ position on possible industrial action remains unchanged.

She said doctors have been patient for over three years and have become frustrated.

The JMDA is adamant about pushing for a resolution.

Hydrogeologist at the Water Resources Authority, Maurice Wallace, has indicated that the ongoing drought has caused a significant decline in water supply from some major surface systems.

Weather forecasters have warned that the country is already experiencing worsening drought conditions, closely linked to the unusually strong El Niño.

Mr. Wallace said surface water systems supplying the Mona Treatment plant in St. Andrew, the Alligator Church Water System in Rio Grande, Portland, and the Rio Bueno Water Station in Trelawny, are among those affected by the drought.

Wallace said significant rainfall deficits, as well as the impact of hurricanes Melissa and Beryl, are among the climate-driven risks affecting Jamaica’s water security.

He added that flooding damaged the country’s water infrastructure.

People’s National Party (PNP) constituency chairman for North Trelawny, Dennis Meadows, has condemned attempts to remove some shops from land in sections of Coopers Pen.

His comments follow roadblocks mounted by angry shop operators along a section of the Coopers Pen main road yesterday.

The operators were reportedly protesting notices issued by the Trelawny Municipal Corporation for them to vacate the area, within 30 days.

Speaking with IRIE FM News, Mr. Meadows explained that approximately 10 to 12 small business operators were given stop order notices, on Tuesday.

He said some of these individuals lost their shops during Hurricane Melissa, and subsequently rebuilt them.

Mr. Meadows indicated some shop owners were also impacted by the demolition of their homes in Coopers Pen last month.

Mr. Meadows called on the Tourism Ministry to intervene and assist the operators with building better shop structures.

Water Minister Matthew Samuda says there must be greater enforcement of the water prohibition notice in eastern parishes, as the island continues to grapple with drought.

He is also alerting residents that there could be greater restriction of water with a day-on, day-off supply in the coming weeks.

Mr. Samuda says the Mona Reservoir is at 33.5 per cent and the Hermitage Dam is at 40.3 per cent of capacity.

The Water Minister states that if the projection from the Met Service stays on track, residents will see greater restrictions in the hours and availability of supply.

He was speaking at the post-Cabinet press briefing this morning.

Over 100 travel advisors from North America, recently participated at the 22nd annual USA travel Advisors Golf tournament at the Sandals Upton Estate Golf and Country Club in Ocho Rios,

Twenty five teams of two members each participated on the 18- hole, par-72 championship course, offering sweeping mountain and ocean views from 700 feet above sea level.

The event was won by Team Nicklaus with a combined two day score of 119.

Team Palmer was second with 129 while Team Watson was third with 131

The golf course is an 18-hole, par-72 championship course offering sweeping mountain and ocean views from 700 feet above sea level.

Jake ColdIron, Sandals Resorts National Manager of Golf Sales based in Miami, says, these travel advisors love Jamaica and love selling Jamaica.

Johnathan Newnham, who is the Director of Golf Operations and Director of Operations at Sandals Upton Estate Golf and Country Club, says The golf course is unique because it is very user-friendly.

The global golf tourism market is estimated to generate between $25 billion and $31 billion annually.

Dancehall star Kranium says he has never felt frustrated about living in New York while creating music that resonates with his audience.

Speaking with DJ Sunshine during IRIE FM’S Wake-up call on Tuesday, Kranium said staying true to himself made it easier to connect with his audience.

According to the Higher Life chart topper, some artistes who came before him in New York felt the need to become something they were not, but he has taken a different approach by remaining grounded in his identity and artistry.

Kranium is now preparing to reconnect with fans in New York when he headlines Kranium Live on October 18 at Sony Hall in Times Square.

The Water Ministry has initiated emergency procurement procedures to purchase 5,000 black water tanks.

Portfolio Minister Matthew Samuda made the disclosure at a post-Cabinet press briefing this morning.

Mr. Samuda gave a breakdown of how the 5,000 tanks will be distributed.

He said 1,000 tanks will be distributed to early childhood institutions that are engaged with the Early Childhood Commission in the certification process.

Mr. Samuda said 2,000 of the tanks will be distributed based on an assessment by the Water Resources Authority, Rural Water Limited and the National Water Commission.

Minister with responsibility for Science, Technology and Special Projects, Dr. Andrew Wheatley, says the scale of the threat means the Government cannot tackle cyber-security on its own.

Speaking at this morning’s post-Cabinet press briefing, Dr. Wheatley shared that the figure increased from more than 12 million attempts in 2022 to 49 million in 2023, with that figure being surpassed in 2025.

He urged Jamaicans and businesses to take greater responsibility for protecting themselves online.

Dr. Wheatley said Jamaica’s cyber-security standards framework is complete, while the national cyber incident response plan has been tested and is ready.

A proposal will also go to cabinet to establish a national cyber-security coordination and assurance council to coordinate national cyber-security efforts.

The proposed council would have a 24-month mandate and be housed in the Office of the Prime Minister.