JTA leaders spar over Harrison’s lawsuit
Published:Tuesday | August 20, 2024 | 12:10 AMChristopher Thomas/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
A heated exchange erupted on Monday between outgoing Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) President Leighton Johnson and the president-elect for 2025-2026, Mark Malabver, over a lawsuit filed against the organisation by former President La Sonja Harrison.
As the vociferous exchange intensified, an angry Malabver stormed out of the meeting as delegates, who had gathered at the Ocean Coral Spring Hotel for yesterday’s opening of the association’s 60 annual conference, appeared shocked at the hostility.
Harrison’s lawsuit contends that a special delegates’ decision to accept a salary offer from the Government during a virtual meeting in March 2023 was in breach of the JTA’s constitution.
Harrison had previously argued that Section 14 of the constitution mandates in-person voting, so a virtual meeting was not an appropriate place for such a decision.
The spat developed after a presentation by JTA General Secretary Dr Mark Nicely.
“We can confirm that a courtesy copy of a fixed-date claim for an affidavit was served on our offices on July 10, 2024. Since being served with the document, we have retained legal counsel ... . Based on advice that we have been given, ladies and gentlemen, we do indicate that this is a matter for us to defend,” Johnson told the meeting.
However, Malabver objected to the raising of the issue on the heels of a point of order from another member and urged Johnson to focus his comments on Nicely’s report instead.
“I want to urge you not to speak any further and to stand on the point of order which was raised. This is the general secretary’s report, and as such, that is what we ought to be accepting [focusing on],” said Malabver.
NOT UP FOR DISCUSSION
However, Johnson fired back, arguing that the matter was raised in the general secretary’s report.
“The general secretary did indicate in his report that there is a matter for the president to address. The matter is not up for discussion. I am simply presenting the legal opinions as sought from our attorneys. That is what we are presenting updates on at this time,” said Johnson.
However, Malabver accused Johnson of using the opportunity to argue his opinion on the matter instead of the legal opinion.
“Mr Malabver, you are misleading the conference!” Johnson angrily retorted, triggering a chorus of “No!” from several JTA delegates in the audience.
At that point, journalists were ushered out of the conference room as the meeting continued.
In subsequent interviews, which were held separately, Johnson and Malabver both sought to downplay the severity of the confrontation.
“This is our annual conference, and at our annual conference, there are always differences of opinion. The conference floor presents opportunities for members to air their perspectives and points of view, and then the matter is taken to a vote, so every year, we have robust conversations,” said Johnson.
Malabver, meanwhile, said that at the conference, “it is the nature of what we do within the JTA in terms of discussions and outing matters to the fore and that is what it is.
“I do not think much of it,” he added, “and sometimes we will have strong opinions on different matters, and that is what was expressed.”