The Guyana’s Teachers’ Union has filed Court action following the announcement from Ministries of Education and Labor informing teachers of the plan to cut the salaries of striking educators.
The Union is filing to reverse the Government’s decision to discontinue deducting union dues from the salaries of teachers on behalf of the Union, as well as their decision to cut the salaries of teachers.
Attorney-at-law Darren Wade acting as the Union’s legal representative, contended that GTU has thus far tried every means to negotiate better salary packages for the nation’s educators.
The GTU stated that since its submission of proposals in 2020, the Government has made no real effort to engage the Union and finalize an agreement on salary increases and non-salary benefits.
Despite repeatedly writing to the Government seeking salary related discussions, the Union revealed that many of their meeting requests were denied.
The move to Court adds to the GTU’s efforts to involve the Ministry of Labor on the need for a satisfactory resolution to the issue but according to union representatives, the Ministry has ignored such requests.
Ultimately, the Union wishes for the Court to deem the strike action legal, and in compliance with all required legal guidelines.
Last week the GTU wrote to the Ministry of Education’s Permanent Secretary, Shannielle Hoosein-Outar, to note that the Union is open to dialogue and outlined the conditions under which teachers will return to their classrooms.
There has been no official response to this letter.
According to the President of the GTU, Mark Lyte, the union is preparing to continue strike action until the Government meets with them to negotiate salary increases for the nation’s teachers.
The GTU has received backing from regional teachers’ unions, as well as several local unions, such as the Guyana Trades Union Congress and the Guyana Public Service Union.