GTUC stands in solidarity with unions denied right to collective bargaining

The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) has blasted the four-year-old Irfaan Ali government for its refusal to engage in collective bargaining with some trade unions as constitutionally guaranteed to all unionised members. The federated body in a recent statement said Government’s failure to come to the bargaining table is four years too long and represents a delay and denial of justice.

GTUC said it is opportune to note every independent trade union that operates within the traditional public service, teaching service, semi-autonomous and autonomous agencies are all affected by Government’s denial of the right to collective bargaining. Article 147 of the Constitution of Guyana protects the right of workers to join a trade union of choice, their union to engage in collective bargaining, and the freedom of workers to strike.

The Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) has entered its fourth week of industrial action, seeking to get the Government to the negotiation table to engage in collective bargaining on a multi-year proposal the Union submitted in August 2020. The tea proposal was re-submitted in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Last Thursday the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) issued the Government an ultimatum to come to the bargaining table, “the failure of which will result in industrial action to immediately end the government’s breach of the law.” GPSU cited the 1987 Avoidance and Settlement of Disputes Agreement it has with the Government; Article 147 (3) of the Constitution of Guyana, and Section 23 (1) of the Trade Union Recognition Act Cap 97:07 as the legal premises from which its demands are being made.

Article 147 (3) protects the freedom of workers to strike, and Section 23(1) place on the employer the duty to negotiate with the trade union in good faith. Government has ignored the legal protections and grievance procedures for teachers, public servants and some other unions, resulting in the GTUC accusing government of creating a hostile industrial relations environment.

The federated body said the government is fostering an environment inimical to the peace, harmony and overall welfare of the working class which it shall not countenance. GTUC said as part of its strategy to push back against government’s violation it has been reaching out to affiliates and non-affiliated unions, locally and externally, to lend their voices to a just cause and stand ready for intensification of industrial action if government fails to let good sense prevail.

Last Thursday, February 22, 2024, Justice Sandlil Kissoon granted conservatory orders blocking the Government from cutting the salaries of striking teachers and stopping deduction of union dues from teachers’ salary. The orders are in place until the substantive matter before the Court is determined. The case will be heard on Wednesday 20^th March 2024.

On Tuesday, 16^th February 2024 GTU, through attorney-at-law Darren Wade, approached the Court seeking to quash Government’s decision to discontinue deduction of union dues from teachers’ salaries and a declaration the strike is legal.

GTUC lauded the teachers union for taking the Government to court, and for justifiably leading the way in challenging the lawlessness and contempt for sections of the working class.

GTUC warned freedom is not free it requires eternal vigilance. The federated body said whilst it notes and welcomes the conservatory orders putting temporary halt on Government’s act of putting its big boots on workers’ throats, the battle to protect and defend workers’ rights and gains made by labour’s predecessors is not over.

GTUC emphasized protection of these rights and gains requires intensifying the struggle and sending a strong message to the Government with the presence of every teacher, worker and citizen on the picket line.