-no agreement yet on period for negotiations
The second day of conciliation talks between the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) and the Ministry of Education (MoE) ended again without agreement on the way forward and another meeting is set for Monday
The key issue is the period for negotiation for collective bargaining. The union is pushing for 2019 to 2023. The ministry is saying only 2024 is under consideration. The union has however shown some flexibility.
In briefing Stabroek News on the meeting yesterday, GTU president Mark Lyte said that the parties again could not reach an agreement, resulting in the stalemate. In the meanwhile a strike called by the union continues.
“The last thing we did, up to lunchtime, was the union tabled a set of conditions for resumption, added to the ones that were being hammered out yesterday (Monday). The Ministry left, having to go consult on the matters… they returned with a couple of notes [and] of course, the GTU wasn’t too pleased with the notes that were returned and so we said we can’t have anything signed off, there could be no end to the strike on those conditions. Each party agreed to meet on Monday next week, at 1:00 PM”, Lyte explained.
The GTU head also revealed that the union is prepared to make a compromise on the years to be discussed for an increase in teachers’ salaries.
“I think it’s no secret that the union would be prepared to look at 2021-2023, specifically,” he stated.
The Ministry of Education has made no statement on the talks.
Late Sunday night, the MoE indicated that it had written the Ministry of Labour (MoL) requesting conciliation, indicating that there had been a breakdown in negotiations with the GTU. The MOL swiftly responded by inviting the two parties to a meeting on Monday with the aim of exploring avenues for a mutually beneficial resolution to the ongoing dispute.
The meeting on Monday produced no tangible fruit and the three sides reconvened yesterday.
Teachers again ventured out at different locations in Guyana to protest yesterday, though not in great numbers. As was planned, those on strike will remain at home today while, according to Lyte, tomorrow will be a day of prayers and Friday a social media hashtag day.
