…as Union, Education Ministry head to arbitration
…no deductions for striking teachers
As pressure mounted on the Education Ministry on day-four of the strike action, it has finally decided to give into the Guyana Teachers Union’s (GTU) call for arbitration.
The decision was made on Thursday during the second round of conciliation talks between the two parties, held in the boardroom of the Social Cohesion’s Ministry, Department of Labour on Brickdam, Georgetown.
This process will see the two parties both agreeing on an independent body, to address the issues affecting teachers at present.
President of the Union, Mark Lyte described Thursday as a “good day”. In smiles,
A confident teacher at Thursday’s protest held in Georgetown
he explained that the Union was insisting on arbitration since day one.
“Today is a good day for the Union. From day one we insisted that this matter should go to arbitration and we have achieved that today, much to the pleasure of our members… we did not feel like this process would have served us well, the conciliation,” he said.
He informed that the strike has officially been called off after a much disturbing period for not only teachers, but students.
Lyte noted that teachers who are able to resume duty should do so by tomorrow, even as he assured that all teachers will return to their classrooms by Monday.
Teachers who were concerned about being unpaid during the strike period can rest assure, according to him, since there will be no deductions from their salaries.
He indicated too, that the arbitrators will be appointed in the week ahead, as the two parties are scheduled to meet on Tuesday to discuss same.
As the representatives made their way out of the building, they were greeted to
The Union giving directives to its overjoyed members who were also briefed on the successful session
cheers from teachers as they repeated the chorus, “Solidarity forever for the Union makes us strong”.
The smiling teachers cheered the leaders as some even shouted “victory will be ours!”
This newspaper understands that no financial kinks were ironed out during the course of Thursday’s meeting. It was also confirmed by the Chief Labour Officer, Charles Ogle, who told media operatives, “No we did not reach to that stage…”
He added, “They have agreed to arbitration so they are working out the Terms of Reference… the terms of resumption will take a little time (so) nobody could add a time limit to that because there will be agreements and disagreements”.
GTU executives have in the past expressed no confidence in the Labour Department due to biased statements being made by Minister Keith Scott, who
A cheering section of teachers who greeted the Union’s executives
was responsible for being the mediator during conciliation.
The Minister was quoted in other sections of the media labelling striking teachers as “uncaring and selfish”.
Upon recognition of his tongue slip, he later issued an apology for his statements. Scott did not sit in Thursday’s meeting but was represented by his advisior, Fancis Carryl.
The Education Minister also chose to sit out, as she was represented by the Chief Education Officer, Marcel Hutson.
Teachers protest
As day four of the nationwide strike dawned, teachers again returned to the streets in a quest for salary increases.
At the Education Ministry’s 26 Brickdam office in Georgetown, educators from several schools joined forces as they sang songs calling for Minister Nicolette Henry to be removed among others.
While Thursday’s crowd was not as large as the previous days, the teachers present defended their position.
A nursery school teacher told Guyana Times, “We are just trusting in God that all goes well for us…I think even if they can’t give us a 40 per cent, 20 would be
A section of teachers anxiously awaiting a word from the Union, just opposite the Labour Department
reasonable. Let the Ministry reach us half way”.
Roger Paris, a teacher at a secondary school in Georgetown said, “We are expecting the proposal that the Union has for us, which was recommended by the task force”.
Another male teacher, Anderson (only name given) explained, “They can give us something that will work for everybody that will at the end of the day satisfy everyone”.
Meanwhile, a supporter said he believes they should be given about 25 per cent. The man explained that while he is not employed with the Ministry, he is a private school teacher and is of the firm view that educators deserve more.
Thursday was likely to have been the last day that teachers protest, since the GTU and the Education Ministry is set to head into arbitration.
Although this is so, several schools throughout the country remained closed, others on a total shutdown, while a few were also reportedly open.
A number of parents have since made vocal their concerns, since their children are being left unattended.
The Ministry had established a contingency plan where about 400 substitute teachers were deployed to attend to those pupils.
The substitutes were reportedly not enough, even as parents also questioned whether or not their children will be properly taught by trainees and volunteer teachers.
The journey
A 40 per cent salary increase for public school teachers was proposed for the year 2016. Over time, the percentage would be increased for all categories of represented teachers.
For the year 2017, the Union was hoping to have bargained for a 45 per cent increase, which would then increase to 50 per cent for the remainder of the years indicated in the agreement (2018-2020).
They recently changed their demands and said they were willing to accept a ‘substantial’ payout from the Government even after the GTU rejected Government’s request for teachers to agree to a debunching payoff of $200 million for 2018/19.
Lyte said the Union similarly rejected the $700 million cap that was placed on salary increases which was for 2018 only. Government also wants the clothing allowance to remain at $8000, a figure which Lyte said was given in 2011. He said, too, that for Whitley Council Leave, teachers still have to wait four years before getting their one month off, even though the GTU appealed for three years.
Educators officially began strike action on August 27, 2018, during pre-term activities. They however took to the streets the following Monday, September 3, when the new school term began.
The Education Ministry was forced to deploy some 400 substitute teachers to various schools.
