The recent meeting between a carefully selected group of educators and the
government, convened outside the conventional avenues of formal negotiation and representation between the Teachers Union and the Government has raised substantial apprehension within our educational system.
The Parliamentary Opposition, vehemently denounces the government’s blatant disregard for the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), as the government persists in
undermining collective bargaining and circumventing established negotiation protocols as they relate to promoting the well-being of our educators.
The GTU is the recognized and lawful authority to bargain on behalf of teachers. They are entrusted with the duty and authority to negotiate for and in the best interest of all our teachers. Let us all respect that right.
The recent gathering at State House undeniably exposes the government’s intent to sow division among the teaching fraternity. Such actions undermine the principles of collective bargaining and pose a significant threat to the credibility of our established
labor negotiation framework. Consequently, it is imperative that discussions pertaining to teachers’ well-being adhere to the agreed-upon channels and respect the role and responsibility of the Guyana Teachers Union.
While we note the government’s announcement regarding salary adjustments, we remain deeply concerned about the government’s actions that serve to undermine the collective bargaining process by engaging directly with teachers. These actions jeopardize the unity and collective bargaining power of our educators.
What is even more disconcerting is that reports from the State House meeting suggest that many of those claiming to represent teachers were merely expressing the sentiments of the government rather than that of the wider teaching fraternity. This raises substantial doubts about the true intentions of these deliberations and whether they were genuinely intended to serve the interests of our educators. One such assertion was that teachers would prefer an increase in allowances over a salary increases.
While we understand that some teachers expressed this preference due to immediate financial pressures, it is crucial to underscore the potential adverse consequences of such a decision. An increase in allowances, though providing short term relief, may not be in the long-term interest of teachers. This is because teachers’ retirement benefits are typically tied to their salaries and not their allowances. Pension amounts are determined based on a percentage of an individual’s salary at the time of retirement. An approach based on allowances will rob teachers of a livable pension.
It is imperative to strike a delicate balance between addressing immediate financial needs and ensuring the long-term financial security of our teachers, both during their active service and retirement years. This underscores the significance of
comprehensive and all-encompassing discussions regarding teachers’ compensation and benefits. This is best done through the collective bargaining process between Government and the Guyana Teachers Union.
The government is urged to act responsibly and promptly re-engage with the Guyana Teachers Union, the legally mandated entity for advocating on behalf of teachers. The government must consider and prioritize the interests of teachers in all negotiations and cease its efforts to undermine and derail established negotiation processes, practices and channels in these matters.
We implore on the government the need to set aside political maneuvering and engage with the Guyana Teachers Union in a deliberate, constructive and cooperative manner. Our educators deserve nothing less than fair and transparent processes in an environment of mutual respect as they seek to promote and safeguard their benefits, their welfare and rights.
