Feasible and acceptable proposal from Govt. could avert teacher’s strike action -GTU President

According to the GTU President, once there is an acceptable proposal, the union and teachers might have a change of heart. He said he knows the Government could do better to address the needs of treachers and the union has no plans to budge until there is an acceptable proposal. 

Feasible and acceptable proposal from Govt. could avert teacher’s strike action  -GTU President

The President of the Guyana Teachers’ Union, Mark Lyte, believes that the planned strike action by teachers nationwide could be averted if the Government presents a feasible and acceptable proposal.

The GTU has called on teachers to begin strike action from August 27 until further notice, to press the President David Granger led government to address their concerns and give into their demands for better salaries.

In an interview with News Source, the GTU President said the Union tried and explored all options that were available before deciding on strike action.

“We have tried the civil way to negotiate with the administration to arrive at an amicable position. I know that in many quarters it is said that our proposal was a little exorbitant, but at all times the union was prepared to negotiate and that’s what we were prepared to do”, Lyte said.

According to the GTU President, once there is an acceptable proposal, the union and teachers might have a change of heart. He said he knows the Government could do better to address the needs of treachers and the union has no plans to budge until there is an acceptable proposal.

The Guyana Teachers Union was pressing the Government for a 40% increase for teachers as part of the multi year deal, in addition to various allowances.

“Our Government , Our Ministry came with a decision to offer $700 million to be disbursed to our teachers, but if that is to be disbursed over a  one year period then we are only addressing teachers receiving a $5000 increase on their salaries, if its shared equally across the board”.

The Government today released its counter proposal to the GTU’s proposal.

SEE BELOW:

Proposal By GTUCounter proposal by MOEDecision Taken
1 Salary Issues

1.1

An across-the-board increase in salary of forty per cent (40%) for 2016, forty-five per cent in (2017), fifty per cent (50%) in 2018, fifty per cent (50%) in 2019 and fifty per cent (50%) in 2020 be granted to all categories of teachers/teacher educators for the years 2016-2020.  (Should there be inflation higher than the percentage agreed upon, then the teachers/teacher educators must get the benefit of the difference).

 

•Government of Guyana will make available a ball park figure to facilitate an increase in salaries for all teachers based on the current salary scale.

•A specialist will have to be contracted to work with the GTU (if agreed) to determine the percentage of increase per category

•The Guyana Teachers Union will submit their proposal for salary increase.

The Guyana Teachers’ Union disagreed on this counter proposal, stating that the amount allocated did not cater for the two previous years which were not addressed by the government but solemnly promised by the Government.

The Guyana Teaches’ Union  agreed to the services of a specialist offered by the Ministry of Education

 

1.2

Teachers continue to be placed in scales which will reflect the results of the de-bunching as at 2011 de-bunching agreement.

 

The Government of Guyana will make available a ball park figure to facilitate de-bunching exercise for teachers for the new school year 2018/2019.

 

 

The Guyana Teachers Union will submit their proposal for de – bunching in keeping with the sum allocated.

 

 

The Guyana Teachers’ Union disagreed on this counter proposal, stating the amount allocated did not cater for the years signed and agreed to previously by the Government.

They noted that previous Permanent Secretary signed an agreement to honor the de- bunching payment from 2011.

1.3

An additional performance-based incentive of three (3%) per cent per annum, of the total Teachers’ Wage Bill, will be paid to eligible teachers during the period of this Multi-year Agreement with effect from January 01, 2016.

 

 

The Guyana Teachers Union has withdrawn this request.

 

1.4

The payment of “de-bunching”, be retroactive to 2011 when it was agreed)

The de-bunching exercise will be effective from the beginning of the new school year, September 2018.The signed de-bunching agreement should be satisfied before another proposal is accepted.
1.5

All Teachers/teacher educators be granted a monthly Emotional/Stress/Risk Allowance of $5,000.

 

Holistic approach is recommended taking into account the wider public service – This Allowance cannot be considered at this time The Guyana Teachers Union agreed that a holistic approach will be considered taking into account the wider public service
1.6

All Headmasters/

Mistresses and Principals/Vice Principals and in the case of Deputy Headmaster/Mistresses and Deputy Principals acting as the Head of a school/institution be granted a maintenance allowance of $7,000. monthly for their vehicles (cars, motor cycles and boats)

All new allowances will have to be considered in line with the wider public service, hence this allowance cannot be considered at this time

 

 

The Guyana Teachers Union agreed that a holistic approach will considered taking into account the wider public service.
1.7

That all teachers/teacher educators who are owners of motor vehicles when they are invited to meetings by the Ministry of Education and/or are traveling for the conduct of Teaching Practice organised by the Cyril Potter College of Education be granted mileage.

New allowances will have to be considered in line with the wider public service; hence this allowance cannot be considered at this time.

Teachers will continue to receive refunds for travel expenses when on official travel ditties

The Guyana Teachers Union agreed that a holistic approach will considered taking into account the wider public service.
1.8

That all teachers/teacher educators be granted double salary in the month of December.

The Guyana Teachers Union has withdrawn this request.

 

 

 

This request was withdrawn.
2. Non salary issues

2.1

Increased monthly remuneration for teachers who have improved their qualifications as follows:

-Certificate in Education –

$   7,000.

-Diploma in Education

$ 10,000.

-Masters’ Degree                      $25,000.

-Doctoral Degree                      $35,000.

-Management Certificate

$   6,000.

-Special Needs

$ 10,000.

 

 

Teachers will continue to receive the approved rates for improved qualifications:

 

(a)Certificate in Education             $   4,000.    (b)Diploma Education                        6,000.             

(c) Master’s Degree                           10,000.              

(d)Doctoral Degree                            30,000.               

 

 

 

 

GTU Disagreed with this noting that the present rate was being paid for the last ten years. They stated that Teachers need to be incentivized when they improved their qualifications.

2.2

All teachers/teachers educators will be provided with an annual clothing allowance of $25,000. per annum with effect from January 01, 2016

Teachers will be paid the approved rate for annual clothing of $8,000. from the new school year 2018/2019.GTU disagreed. They indicated this amount does not cater for the increase in cost of living and does not bridge the gap of the last two years as the uniform allowance was not paid.
2.3

That Headmasters/mistresses, Principals and those staff who are living on the premises of schools/institutions with dormitories (e.g.) (President’s College, Aurora Secondary, Anna Regina Multilateral, St Ignatius Secondary, North West Secondary, Charity Secondary, Paramaktoi Secondary, Annai Secondary and CPCE), be given a monthly Responsibility Allowance equivalent to five (5) and three (3) increments, respectively.

 

 

New allowances will have to be considered in line with the wider public service; hence this allowance cannot be considered at this time.It was suggested that the allocation of house parents should be reviewed; this will significantly reduce the responsibility of Head Teachers of Dormitory Schools.

 

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