Dear Editor,
People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo continues to act recklessly on national matters of grave import that require seriousness, integrity, accountability, respect for citizens’ rights and the rule of law. This society is urged, particularly the media that shoulder the herculean task of educating and informing the nation in a manner that could ensure stability and good governance, not be suckered into Jagdeo’s public mischief.
The issues that led to the current industrial action by our nation’s public school teachers are:- Government’s failure to respect the workers’ right to collective bargaining through the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), the abrogation of its obligation under Sect 23(1) of the Trade Union Recognition and Certification Act to treat with the Union in good faith, and violation of the Labour Law to conciliate and arbitrate on the existing grievances. Were these matters addressed, the teachers would have been in the classrooms, teaching our children, where they would prefer to be.
Contrary to Jagdeo’s claim, under the GTU’s Rules, Coretta MacDonald is eligible to hold the position as General Secre-tary. The GTU’s Rules has six (6) categories of memberships, namely:
Ordinary Membership: “1. This shall be open to all teachers employed in Schools, Institutions of learning referred to in Rule (1) (a) age fifteen (15) years to the compulsory retirement age specified in the Teachers’ Pension Act: Chapter 39:05.
“2. In every case, application for membership shall be made to the General Secretary. And the application shall be considered by the Executive Council or General Council who may admit, or refuse admission to the applicant.
“3. All Ordinary Members shall have the right to vote, but those employed as Acting Teachers, Junior Teachers and Teacher Aides shall not be eligible to hold any office referred to in Rule 8, (iii), (iv), (v) and (vii).”
Associate Membership, this shall be open to:
1. Retired members of the union
2. Retired re-employed members of the union
3. Persons who were formerly employ-ed as teachers, but are now employed in other institutions largely in respect of organisational and administrative functions e.g. Education Supervisors/Officers, Regional Education Officers, and Members of Parliament.
“In every case application for membership shall be made to the General Secretary, and the application shall be considered by the Executive Council or General Council who may admit, or refuse admission to the applicant.” “All Associate Members shall have the right to vote, but shall not be eligible to hold any office referred to in Rule: 8 (iii) and (except that of Immediate Past President) in Rule: 15.”
Attempt by the PPP government to justify its noncompliance with 23(1) of the Trades Union Recognition Act, which requires treating with the union in good faith, has seen efforts to deceive the nation using Rule 3 (ii) (c) of the GTU’s rules which speaks to Associate Member-ship, in order to delegitimise Ms. McDonald in her role as General Secretary and further demonise the Union. Coretta McDonald retains her position as a teacher and qualifies to be General Secretary under Ordinary Membership # 1, 2, and 3.
Further, Mr. Jagdeo’ behaviour is tantamount to interference in the internal affairs of the trade union which contravenes International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention No. 87. Article 2 (1) of the said Convention expressly states “Workers’ and employers’ organisations shall enjoy adequate protection against any acts of interference by each other or each other’s agents or members in their establishment, functioning or administration.”
The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) calls on Bharrat Jagdeo to cease and desist from his public mischief and urges the Government to meet with the Union and resolve the teachers’ grievances which are just and legitimate.
Sincerely,
Lincoln Lewis
General Secretary
