Teachers Agree to Government’s Pay Hike Timeframe
Union Dropped Demand for 2019-2023 Proposal
The Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) has dropped its demand that its 2019 to 2023 proposal be negotiated first and has now agreed with the Ministry of Education to shelve that period and begin salary negotiations from this year forward.
Conciliation Talks End
This comes after teachers have protested for more than 75 days during two periods since February. In a statement on Friday, the Ministry of Education announced the end of the Conciliation talks with the GTU, which the Chief Labour Officer was facilitating.
Mult-Year Agreement to be Negotiated
In its announcement, the Education Ministry said the two sides have agreed that the multi-year agreement to be negotiated will address a period commencing from 2024 and onwards. The Ministry said bilateral talks will now begin on the multi-year agreement.
GTU General Secretary’s Statement
In confirming the agreement to begin talks this year moving forward, GTU General Secretary Coretta McDonald said the union has submitted a new proposal to the Education Ministry and has agreed to look at 2024 and beyond.
Conclusion
The GTU hopes that in this new phase, we will not have the nation’s teachers and children having to endure another period of industrial action. We hope that this time around, the Ministry of Education is serious and, by extension, the Government is serious about rewarding teachers for their contributions over the years.
FAQs
Q: What is the new proposal submitted by the GTU?
A: The GTU has submitted a brand new proposal to the Education Ministry, which will address a period commencing from 2024 and onwards.
Q: What is the timeline for the negotiations?
A: The hope is that the negotiations will begin during the school holidays and be completed before the new school year starts in September.
Q: Does the GTU see the agreement as a surrender?
A: No, the GTU General Secretary does not see the agreement as a surrender. She noted that a landmark case favored the union and will now benefit the country’s labor force.