Pre-tertiary teacher unions have rejected a call by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) to await the establishment of a new Independent Public Emoluments Commission before pursuing a comprehensive review of their conditions of service.
The unions have instead set September 7 as the date for industrial action over outstanding issues concerning their conditions of service.
The development follows engagements between the teacher unions and the FWSC over unresolved allowances and other concerns affecting pre-tertiary teachers.
The FWSC says it remains prepared to engage the unions on the outstanding issues but maintains that a comprehensive review of public sector conditions of service cannot be undertaken this year because of the planned transition to the proposed Independent Public Emoluments Commission.
Speaking on the matter, FWSC Chief Executive Officer, Dr Smith Graham, said the Commission had already met the unions twice to discuss their concerns.
According to him, the FWSC is currently addressing specific outstanding allowances as part of the transition process rather than embarking on a full review of conditions of service.
Dr Graham explained that the establishment of the proposed Independent Public Emoluments Commission is expected to change the process for determining public sector emoluments.
The FWSC therefore wants the teacher unions to await the new body for a broader review of their conditions of service.
The unions, however, have rejected that position and maintained their demand for action on their outstanding concerns.
With the September 7 strike date announced, pressure is mounting for further discussions between the teacher unions and the FWSC to resolve the issues before industrial action begins.
