…but ministry’s proposed figure not accepted by union during talks
The Education Ministry’s proposed figure for salary increases was not accepted by the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), as the high-anticipated meeting between both parties got underway on Thursday. However, it was agreed by both parties to discuss salary increase for the years 2019 to 2023.
However, the Union contended that the increase put forward by the ministry was ‘below par’.
Both sides of the GTU and Education Ministry during Thursday’s negotiations
Both sides have decided to meet again next Tuesday, where Government will present a new percentage for the period proposed, along with clothing allowance; the two per cent difference for 2017 and 2019; and the Whitley Council moving to three years.
In a statement following the meeting the Education Ministry said, that during the meeting it was agreed that 27 issues will be tabled for discussion. Following this, the two teams agreed on the order in which the matters will be addressed.
The first issue tabled for discussion was the establishment of a Terms of Reference for the meetings. After deliberations, it was agreed that that there will not be a signed Terms of Reference, however, both parties agreed that at the end of each meeting, two representatives of each negotiation team and two witnesses will sign the minutes.
Some of the matters identified for discussion by the GTU are, salary matters included in the multi-year proposal 2019-2023; two per cent difference in salary for 2017 and 2018; clothing allowance increase; Whitley Council being paid every 3 years
Some issues identified by the ministry are teacher absenteeism and punctuality, poor performing schools, continuous professional education, completion of syllabus.
“The Ministry of Education reiterates its commitment to continuing dialogue with the Guyana Teachers’ Union that have been ongoing and which have produced several noteworthy results that will benefit teachers, children, and the system as a whole,” the statement read.
The Education Ministry was represented by the Chief Education Officer, Saddam Hussain; Deputy Chief Education Officer- AHED, Marti DeSouza; Deputy Chief Education Officer- Admin, Tiffany Harvey, the ministry’s Human Resource Manager, Jacqueline Simon, and Senior Education Officer, Kerwin Jacobs.
The Guyana Teachers’ Union was represented by GTU President, Mark Lyte, GTU General Secretary, Coretta McDonald; Mariska Williams, Julian Cambridge, Heathcliff Peters, Sumanta Alleyne, Collis Nicholson, Donnette D’Andrade, Rabindrauth Boodram and Colin Bynoe, along with three General Council members, Deoraj Nauth, Sergio Joseph, and Vanessa Kissoon.
The GTU had made 41 demands in a multi-year agreement it proposed to the Education Ministry, which has since fulfilled 25 of those requests. Of the 16 remaining proposals, two are specifically for the benefit of only GTU and its Executive Members, while two others are contrary to the laws of Guyana and the other 12 are currently under consideration.
The last of the engagements between the Education Ministry and the GTU took place on January 31, 2024. There, at least five salary-related issues that were on the agenda were addressed.
At the end of the meeting, there was no evidence whatsoever of any rancour, discord, or disagreement between the parties. As a result, the Government said it was understandably shocked when the Union, a few days after, announced its intention to resort to strike action.
Thursday’s engagement was the result of two extensive days of mediation, which also saw an end to strike actions and teachers returning to classrooms. The GTU had filed court proceedings to block the Government from, among other things, cutting the salaries of those teachers who have been on strike since February 5.
During the hearing, presiding judge, Justice Sandil Kissoon, named the Senior Counsels as mediators. This was done through the court invoking the Civil Procedure Rules 2016 Part 26 (Court Ordered Meditation). It saw a swift resolution in bringing both sides to the table.
Politically motivated
Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo reiterated at this Thursday press conference that these actions by the GTU have been politically motivated.
Addressing that Government is now asked to address wages from since 2017 – under the former APNU/AFC coalition, Jagdeo shared that it flags the duplicitous nature of the Opposition.
“They want to make this political. So, now we have to go back to 2017 to address wages during the APNU period. She (Opposition Member of Parliament, Coretta McDonald) is the spokesperson on education for APNU in the Parliament and she is telling us we must now, in 2024, address what the APNU didn’t address in 2017. They’re not interested in teachers’ welfare. That is what we pointed out several times.”
He further stated, “It’s not the fact that they’ve gone back. It’s the duplicity on the part of APNU shedding crocodile tears about teachers now when in the majority of their term in government, they had not dealt these issues that the teachers are raising now.”
The VP underscored that the Education Ministry has met with the GTU every month since Government took office in 2020, and were working on several issues to better the lives of teachers and the overall sector.
“They have been meeting with the Union. They gave us this information and the Chief Education Officer has confirmed this. From August 2020, they have met every month with the Teachers’ Union. I don’t think this happens in every country in the world…They were working on several issues,” he outlined. (G12)
