The umbrella trade union body, the Guyana Trades Union Congress, today accused the Ministry of Education and the Government of entering the recent talks with the Guyana Teachers Union in a high-handed and disrespectful way.

The Guyana Trades Union Congress said it will continue to stand with the teachers and all those who were affected by the strike.

According to the union, the Government’s decision to not discuss and negotiate the union’s outstanding 2019 to 2023 salary increase proposal is a demonstration of the Government’s continued “high handedness,  disrespect and ill-will towards teachers”.

The union said it also showcases Government’s disregard for the nation’s children, particularly those who are dependent on the public education system.

The talks between the Ministry of Education and the Guyana Teachers’ Union collapsed on Tuesday as the Government insisted that it will only be discussing salary issues for the year 2024 and moving forward.

The Education Ministry said the national budget had no fiscal space to accommodate any retroactive payments for the years 2019 to 2023 and it wants the GTU to look at salary issues from 2024.

The GTU submitted its proposal for salary increases and other issues since 2020 and while the two sides have been engaging in talks, those talks did not cover salary issues, triggering the recent four-week strike by teachers.

The GTUC said Guyanese workers along with trade union leaders, religious organisations, civil society, and supporters of the government, must open their eyes and see the way the Government is treating teachers in an oil rich nation.

The union said it is putting the Government on notice that failing to return to the  table in good faith will result in the GTUC mobilising and taking action as it sees fit in keeping with  rights and the rule of law.

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