More than a year after their contracts were not renewed, two former University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC) lecturers who believe they were unfairly dismissed are pressing the institution to reach a reasonable settlement and pay what they say they are owed.

The lecturers, whose two-year contracts ended on January 3, 2025, contend the non-renewal stemmed from the university’s belief that they were behind media reports highlighting staff pay concerns and poor working conditions. They argue the decision amounted to wrongful termination and are seeking compensation estimated between $9 million and $11 million each, representing up to two years’ earnings.

One of the lecturers, Dr Veronica Reid, a former faculty representative at UCC from 2020 to 2024, believes the decision may have been linked to concerns raised by staff in two Jamaica Observer articles published in late 2024 and early 2025.