High Court continues hearing on the issue of Collective Bargaining, propose cutting salaries of striking teachers and revocation of check off

Guyana Teachers Union’s (GTU) case on collective bargaining that led to strike action and saw the Ministry of Education retaliating by taking a decision to cut the salary of striking  teachers and cease deduction of union dues continued Wednesday March 20, 2024 in the High Court, presided over by Justice Sandil Kissoon.

For the better part of the day GTU 2^nd Vice President Julian Cambridge was on the stand he was cross examined by the Ministry of Education lawyers.

During that exercise Cambridge was presented with claim forms purportedly receiving pay for work done at the Cyril Potter College for a specific job where the Ministry of Education had increase the pay of those who lecture there.

The GTU and GTUC lawyers in response, drew to the court’s attention that the payments were specifically for travelling to preform duties outside of what was presented to the court.

During the cross examination Cambridge denied that a number of areas highlighted by the Government are not seen by the union and financial increase benefits to its members.

Intermittently, while Cambridge accepted that the union is aware of increasing in some areas he reiterated that collective bargaining never took place.

He further accepted that the teachers received a 6.5 percent increase in salary for  2023 but attributed that to the national position of the Government of Guyana.

On the departure from the stand the Chief Education Officer, Saddam Hussain was called. The Ministry of Education lawyers objected to the GTUC lawyer Mr. Roysdale Forde S.C cross-examining Saddam Hussain.

The court listened to the argument from the education ministry and the GTUC and concluded Forde will be given the opportunity to cross examine  Hussain

On taking the stand the GTU’s lawyer, Darren Wade, began the cross examination. Hussain was asked whether there were any minutes to verify the Ministry of Education’s claim that the GTU and the Ministry were involved in negotiating increase wages/salary.

Saddam, in the first instance responded yes but the document provided by the MOE to prove that they were negotiation for a collective labour agreement speaks to debunching and not negotiation for increase wages and salaries.

The court adjourned on a high note and will resume today at 1:00 p.m. It is expected  the cross examination of Saddam Hussain will continue by the GTU and GTUC Lawyers.