As teachers across Guyana again downed tools yesterday in support of the second day of the GTU strike, the Ministry of Education (MoE) has made the decision to cease the deduction of dues on behalf of the union.
Amidst the MoE’s claims that the strike is an illegal and political one, the GTU maintains its denial of this.
In a letter sent yesterday to the GTU and signed by its Permanent Secretary Shannielle Hoosein-Outar, the MoE cited the ongoing industrial action which it deemed unlawful and politically directed as reasons for the move. It also adverted to threats allegedly being disseminated by the union. This decision by the government, it said, aligns with the ruling by late acting Chief Justice Ian Chang in the case of Guyana Public Service Union v Nanda Gopaul.
“This decision is in accordance with the ruling by the Honourable Chief Justice Ian Chang in the case of Guyana Public Service Union v Nanda Gopaul (number 584W/2000-Demerara). Further, the Ministry took into consideration the current unlawful industrial action which has become wholly politicised, the barrage of threats disseminated by GTU across the country, as well as the racist sentiments and ethnically divisive rhetoric which will never be tolerated by this Government as we continue to build our beautiful One Guyana,” a notice posted on the ministry’s Facebook (FB) page stated.
In the aftermath of the MoE’s statement, the GTU strongly contested the claims. The union denied having threatened teachers and emphasized the legal status of the ongoing strike. It also accused the Ministry of briefing and bribing teachers not to participate in the industrial action.
“The union emphasizes the legality of the ongoing strike and underscores the substantial support received from teachers. We firmly deny allegations of issuing threats to teachers, asserting that educators are free to decide whether or not to participate in the strike. (…) allegations of the Ministry of Education threatening and bribing teachers not to strike have surfaced. The Guyana Teachers’ Union will continue to investigate and gather evidence to substantiate these claims, ensuring a fair and accurate representation of the situation,” the GTU said in a FB post.
The MoE noted that prior to the announcement of the government’s decision, the ministry had implemented multiple initiatives, in response to the union’s demands to improve conditions for teachers. The measures implemented include removing the Child Development Index Card (CDIC) as a required school document, weekly preparation of lesson plans (instead of daily), termly grants provided to teachers for purchasing teaching materials, and the removal of the quota system to attend the University of Guyana.
After having reached out to the Ministry of Labour (MoL) on different occasions, appealing for conciliation and arbitration, and finally pleading for the long-awaited talks and negotiations with the MoE and by extension the Government of Guyana (GoG), the GTU called for a nationwide strike which commenced on Monday. The main focus of the strike is to assert demands related to improving working conditions for teachers, including wage hikes and improved healthcare coverage.
On the first day of the strike, an estimated 59% of the country’s educators participated, leaving schools understaffed, according to the union. GTU President Mark Lyte said that he sees the act to cease deductions as a warning shot by the government and urged members of the union to stay united, remain steadfast, and continue to participate in the strike to achieve desirable outcomes.
“If you’re gonna withhold the line from GTU, you must withhold the line from every other authorized union in Guyana. You must withhold the lines from every other agency that you’re doing deductions for. You’re not doing us a favour it is by law and our legal representatives are on it and they will craft a response,” Lyte stated in a live video on his social media page.
According to an MoE estimate there are about 4,500 unionised teachers, so GTU should be collecting about 3,150,00 per month in union dues. Previously, it was the MoE that had taken up the task of being an agent for the collection of union dues which were remitted to the GTU.
In the aftermath of the major public service strike in 1999, the PPP/C government had ceased deducting dues on behalf of the Guyana Public Service Union. This triggered legal proceedings which culminated in the ruling by Justice Chang.
