Injunction looms against Govt as GTU mobilises teachers

Possible salary reductions

…Union has never been confrontational – Lyte

As the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) mobilises teachers ahead of the countrywide strike slated for August 27, the Government could face a High Court injunction should it proceed with deductions to the salaries of teachers. This position was indicated by GTU President Mark Lyte who told Guyana Times on Wednesday that the union gave “certain instructions” on the way forward. His meeting with the lawyer comes against the backdrop of concerns teachers raised earlier this week when they expressed fear of victimisation and salary reduction should they support their union’s industrial action.
“We got certain advice and we’re going to work with that,” Lyte noted, responding

in the affirmative when asked if court action was on the cards.
Commenting on President David Granger’s attributed statements that his Government does not want a confrontation with the Union, Lyte observed that on the contrary, GTU has always attempted to solve the situation amicably throughout the rule of the current Administration.
“The Union has never been confrontational. The fact that we sat with them for almost three years to come to an agreement is an indication that the Union doesn’t advocate for confrontation. We are trying to negotiate peacefully,” Lyte told this newspaper.
Over the last two days, GTU held engagements with a meeting in Linden on Tuesday and another in Bartica on Wednesday. Speaking on Wednesday’s meeting, the Union President highlighted that 80 out 150 teachers turned out in support of the Union’s strike action in spite of the day being a holiday.
“They are overwhelming supportive of the strike action,” he noted.

Linden meeting
Teachers from Linden and other parts of Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) were on Tuesday updated on the strike at the Linden Concert Hall and School (Lichas) where Lyte assured commitment in ensuring that demands are met. Lyte, in alluding to the ‘good life’ promised by Government, noted that unfortunately so far, there has not been any significant progress as it relates to teachers salary increases.
As such, he pointed out that the Union is currently mobilising its members in

regions across the country.
“We did engage this present Administration prior to entering into power, while they were in Opposition. And we were given certain promises, those were relating to our members and as such, the good life that was promised, the teachers would have gone out there and supported the present Administration… We would have expected that we would have had a smooth process in our negotiation,” Lyte said.  “Unfortunately, we would have been at the table with the present Administration for the last two, almost three years and we are not making any significant movement as it relates to salary increases,” he continued.
Lyte said while there were some agreements on non-salary issues, which he thought Government did well with agreeing on, the bigger picture is teachers having a livable wage, which has not been forthcoming so far. He further stated that the recent offer for ballpark figures for debunching increase on salaries was rejected because the Union believes that after all these years it could have been told earlier that this was the situation.
“Unfortunately, the Government took us through all the corners and creases and then bring this to us. So, the Union’s position right now is that we are mobilising our members to take strike action, commencing on the [August] 27th until further notice. We also hope that during this time that the Government will make a better offer and address the 40 per cent increase that we are demanding.
We believe our teachers are deserving of this increase because they give their lives unto the classroom for the nation’s children,” he said. The GTU President reiterated that teachers are proceeding with the strike action, which can materialise into other forms of industrial action, as he noted that it is within the hands of the Government to decide what will be done about the situation.
“Our presence here today was basically to inform our members on the ground what is happening, so that they can have a clearer understanding. This is what we’re doing in the various regions,” he said.
Lyte added that teachers are in full support of the strike action since they believe that they have waited long enough. He noted that the GTU is committed to ensuring that it receives whatever it demands. Bearing in mind the interest of its members, Lyte said the necessary action will be taken, as he stressed grave dissatisfaction with the present situation. The GTU has rejected Government’s request for teachers to agree to a debunching pay-off 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. The union is seeking increases of 40 per cent for its 7000 members.