Yesterday engagement between the Ministry of Education and Guyana Teachers Union broke down over a refusal by the Government to keep its commitment as agreed on last Thursday between the two sides. Last Monday, March 4th the Union and Government, acting on a court ordered mediation, agreed to commence discussion on issues affecting the teachers.
The Agreement at Clause 2 stated “Discussions shall proceed within 48 hours of resumption of work and shall be in relation to those matters which either Party considers relevant for discussion between the Union and the Government, which includes financial matters.”
At the first meeting held last Thursday 7th March the Union and Government agreed to a menu of measures they will adhere to and discussion. The second meeting which was held yesterday broke down because the government decided, having agreed on Thursday to discuss the Teachers 2019-2023 Wages/Salary and Working Conditions proposal that it will no longer keep its side of the agreement.
Government’s behavior not only prove right the views of some views in society that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) cannot be trusted but underscores features of an authoritarian society where the ruling of the court will be disregarded if it is not in keeping with what the government wants.
The disrespect for the court-ordered agreement, arrived at by the Government and Union, under the directive of Justice Sandlil Kissoon undermines the authority of the court and increases distrust in the government.
The two sides on Thursday agreed their representatives will be fixed but on Tuesday the ministry turned up with a different delegation. Analysts told this publication whilst they did not agree either side should determine for the other who should comprise its delegation common courtesy dictates, having entered an agreement the two sides would meet and agree to the change.
Yesterday the government decided it will not look at the 2019-2023 proposal but rather speak to 2024.
The Union submitted its proposal in August 2020 and has resubmitted every year since. The failure of the government to meet the Union and engage in collective bargaining led to the teachers taking strike action on February 5th which lasted until 5th March
But the Ministry in a statement issued yesterday accused the Union of abandoning the collective bargaining process. From all indications listening to both sides, it is the Government that has acted differently and shifted its position.
Whilst the Teachers Union has not issued a statement on the matter, yesterday the Union’s President, Dr. Mark Lyte at a press conference said government’s bad faith behavior could lead to the teachers going on strike again. The Union said it will be advising the teachers on the way forward to show the government it will not be bullied and has also communicated a desire to return to the Court.
The Ministry’s statement of 11th March follows:
STATEMENT BY THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
Representatives of the Guyana Teachers’ Union and the Ministry of Education met this morning as agreed at the last meeting held in the Ministry’s boardroom on 7th March, 2024 to discuss matters on the agenda as proposed by both parties, inclusive of financial matters.
The Ministry of Education was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Shannielle Hoosein-Outar, Chief Education Officer, Mr. Saddam Hussain, Deputy Chief Education Officer- AHED, Mr. Marti DeSouza, Deputy Chief Education Officer- Admin, Ms. Tiffany Harvey, the Ministry’s Human Resource Manager, Ms. Jacqueline Simon, and Mr. Kerwin Jacobs, Senior Education Officer.
The Guyana Teachers’ Union was represented by GTU President Dr. Mark Lyte, GTU General Secretary, Ms. Coretta McDonald Ms. Mariska Williams, Mr. Heathcliff Peters, Ms. Sumanta Alleyne, Mr. Collis Nicholson, Ms. Donnette D’Andrade, Mr. Rabindrauth Boodram and Mr. Colin Bynoe, along with three General Council members, Mr. Deoraj Nauth, Mr. Sergio Joseph, and Ms. Vanessa Kissoon.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education informed the representatives that fiscal provisions for prior year increases were not provided for in the 2024 budget. She reiterated that teachers would have benefitted from across-the-board salary increases given in previous years and asked the representatives to discuss the salary proposals commencing from 2024. However, President of the Guyana Teachers’ Union, Dr. Mark Lyte, indicated that the Union did not prepare a proposal for 2024 onwards. As a result, the Permanent Secretary asked that the Union prepare this proposal and submit same to the Ministry for continued discussion.
The Union objected to this request and stated that they are unwilling to discuss any other item on the agenda unless the Ministry addresses the prior year increases. They subsequently left the meeting without setting a date for the next meeting.
The Ministry of Education reiterates its commitment to continuing dialogue with the Guyana Teachers’ Union which has produced several noteworthy results to the benefit of teachers, children, and the system as a whole.