Guyana: Teachers call off month-long strike

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – President of the Guyana Trades Union (GTU), Dr. Mark Lyte, Monday night confirmed that the one month nationwide strike by teachers for improved salaries and other  conditions will end on Wednesday.

The announcement came after a full day of court-ordered mediation. between government and GTU officials.

Lyte said the Terms of Resumption,  which is now an order of court, provides for financial matters to be the first item on the agenda and that “it sets the framework for the process to commence collective bargaining”.

The financial matters such as loss of pay for strike days and government’s refusal to automatically deduct and remit union dues were not part of the agreement and the GTU president said those are matters for the court to adjudicate on.

“Those are before the Court so those were not placed on the table,” he added.

GTU president, Darren Wade said he remains optimistic that the agreement would result in a salary increase for teachers.

“The agreement has to act in good faith so it puts a burden on the government when they are at the table to ensure that the teachers’ issues are addressed,” he said, adding the agreement is binding and “the government cannot back out”.

According to the union, the two sides agreed that teachers shall, in good faith, resume work on or before Wednesday 6 March, 2004 and that 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.

In addition, it was agreed that the discussions shall take place at the Ministry of Education Boardroom “and will continue for a reasonable period of time” and that “both parties reserve all their rights pursuant to any agreement or the laws of Guyana”.

The agreement between the GTU and the Attorney General, arising from almost two days of mediation that was ordered by Justice Sandil Kissoon, states that the government of Guyana represents that it continues to assure and reiterate its position that it will continue to act in good faith and in accordance with the laws of Guyana in relation to all matters under discussion.

Further that the GTU represents that it has always engaged the Government and will continue to negotiate in good faith.

Attorney Darshan Ramdhani , who represented the Attorney General, said “we’re very pleased that they are returning to the table and that these conversations, discussions” “will now take on a more conciliatory approach.”

The GTU President said financial matters would top the agenda when the two sides meet. “We’ve finally been able to get an agreement with the government after all these years to come to the table to discuss our important financial matters,” he said..

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