Dear Editor,
The Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) can hardly claim foul after revelations that they are in default of laws, rules, and regulations requiring the entity to file audited financial accounts periodically, in 2018, the GTU was the subject of an investigation by the Office of the Auditor General; the GTU can hardly claim to be unaware that they stand in default.
The 2018 investigation was prompted by an anonymous letter to the Auditor General that stated, among other things, “I draw reference to that matter to re-emphasise that unions ought to always be held accountable for all actions, including those of a financial nature.” Based on the information provided, your office must intervene to review the financial practices of the GTU in accordance with the requirements of the law.
Any findings that may be adverse to the requirements of any Act, Rules, and/or Regulations of Guyana governing the functions of unions like that of GTU, I trust, would be handed over to the relevant authorities to be dealt with appropriately.”
Six years have passed since this warning shot was fired across the bow of the union (which was also threatening to strike then), and it is instructive that the executive did not see fit to take remedial action to bring the union within the boundaries of the law. It will be interesting to see what justification is presented for the inaction.
On the matter of the current strike, it would seem that the union either believes the teachers should be placed on a different plane from other public sector workers, and despite being given higher salaries, more benefits, and constantly improving working environments and conditions, they deserve to get all their demands met before other categories of workers achieve parity, or this is a politically motivated strike to foster discontent in a sector that is improving all too rapidly.
Everything I have witnessed so far points to the GTU being a politically compromised body that holds itself unaccountable for its membership and the laws that govern its operations and existence.
This may be a good place for the government to start teaching the hard lessons that are needed to move our nation forward, including the derecognition of the GTU and forcing them to reapply for status after all lawful requirements are met, and a gentle push into the private sector for those teachers who refuse to return to the classrooms, where they can earn what they truly deserve; as we say, “easy lessons are good for dunce.”.
Sincerely,
Robin Singh
