By: Sase Singh; M.Sc. – Finance, ACCA.
The average salary of the majority of teachers was just around G$71,709 in 2017. With such a salary, the cause and reasons were enough to negotiate a proper raise for the teachers by way of the collective bargaining process.
What the GTU is doing has nothing to do with politics. Actually, the leadership of the GTU does have a pro-PNC history, so I see no reason why they would want to undermine their historical sponsors. So this issue is not political, but purely bread and butter.
The facts speak to the reality that the GTU is being extremely reasonable with the Government, because this is what the GTU has publicly declared:
1. Their opening proposal is based on the recommendation of the Granger- appointed High-Level Team, which suggested a wage increase of 40% for the first year. What the GTU has made clear is that it is prepared to accept a reasonable counter-proposal from the Government. But this G$700 million “take it or leave it” package is HIGH NONSENSE from President Granger and his team. It offers less than 7% to the average teacher, which translates to as little as G$43 per day in additional take-home pay for those at the bottom of the scale. That cannot even buy a sweet drink in today’s world.
Why can’t the Government offer at minimum an additional G$934 million, and this case can be closed for the next 3 years. Why G$934 million? Such a number, when added to what is already on the table, would offer most teachers an increase of between 15% and 20%; and that is a fair option, since, clearly, the 40% is unaffordable.
2. The GTU then said it is happy to settle for 5% each in the 2nd, and 3rd years and call it “George” for the three years’ package. That is a fair and reasonable position, unlike the Government’s position. The Government is offering G$700 million only for the 1st year, suggested that the increases for the 2nd and 3rd years be cancelled, and is only open to negotiations on any further increases for the period September 2018 and beyond. This is an anti-working class stance taken by the Granger Government as it attempts to deny the teachers increases for 2016 and 2017, and the first 9 months of 2018.
There is enough evidence that the Granger Administration’s priorities are out of order. If they are to immediately conduct an expenditure review of public spending to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of their current practices, they will find enough money to meet not only the needs of the teachers, but all public sector workers.
All empirical evidence points to the fact that the more people graduate from high school, the greater the positive impact on economic growth. A study by the Alliance for Education, a Washington DC-based think tank, proved with evidence this fact.
How do these student graduate? BY MAGIC? Without the right coaching and guidance from a human leader in the classroom, the nation would suffer. If truth be told, the teachers are collectively adding more value to the society than the politicians. So why can’t the teacher get a 15% increase when the politicians got 50%? It was Minister Harmon who had no apologies to make for the 50% that President Granger granted his ministers, so where is his empathy today?
We must stand with the teachers; and, as parents, we must do some homeschooling to support this strike for a just wage in this era of gross unfairness.
The Way Out!
· The Government must put more money on the table. They can afford to provide about 15% – 20% to the teachers.
· More non-financial benefits must be offered, such as full scholarships for up to 100 teachers to attend UG every year; 100 bursaries for free scholarships for the children of teachers every year to study the sciences ONLY; along with 500 free house lots for teachers in the system for more than 5 years. Of course these non-financial benefits must be secured on a competitive basis, and must be distributed proportionately between urban, rural and hinterland teachers.
Conclusion
This strike is Guyana’s struggle. This strike is about bread and butter for the future generations, and this strike is about bringing back respect to the collective bargaining process and the role of trade unions in a just and democratic society. This Granger Government is very disrespectful to the workers of Guyana, and we must offer solidarity to the teachers, both in spirit and financially, to ensure that all workers secure their just rewards. I call on the GTU to set up a “CROWD FUNDING” site so the Diaspora can contribute to the teachers’ strike support fund. This struggle belongs to all of us. Better must come!
