Jamaican university lecturers strike ahead of new school year

Lecturers at two major Jamaican universities walked off the job Monday, disrupting preparations for the upcoming academic year. Staff at the University of Technology Jamaica and the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Campus are participating in the industrial action.

The University of Technology, Jamaica Academic Staff Union (UTASU) communicated that the strike will involve refusing to submit marks and boycotting orientation activities and planning meetings. Members are advised to refrain from teaching, examination duties, working overtime, and attending meetings.

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the industrial action will include refusal to submit marks as well as non-engagement in orientation activities and planning meetings for the new school year.

The industrial action, which began on August 10, 2026, threatens to impact upcoming exams and administrative tasks. The strike comes just before the new school year, typically starting in late August, raising concerns for students and university operations.

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the organisation, however, urged members not to engage in any activities that undermine, circumvent, or weaken the industrial action, or that could facilitate union-busting efforts.