The Guyana Teachers Union this afternoon announced that the nationwide strike by teachers has been called off following an agreement with the Education Ministry for the teachers’ salary issue to be sent to arbitration.

The two sides met for over two hours at the Department of Labour this afternoon for the final conciliation session and the GTU said it emerged victorious because the union always wanted to go to arbitration. The GTU President, Mark Lyte addressed teachers gathered outside the Department of Labour just before 5pm.

He said teachers who are able, should return to work on Friday but there should be full resumption of duties by Monday.

As part of the agreement for resumption of duties, teachers will not see any deductions to their salaries for the absent days during the strike  and there will also be no loss of seniority.

Additionally, the two sides have agreed for there to be no victimization by either side.

The Ministry of education indicated yesterday that it was ready for arbitration. The two sides will meet again on Tuesday to finalise the terms of reference for arbitration.

The arbitration will be binding to both sides.

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