The Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) announced that teachers are set to resume their strike action on Thursday as part of an ongoing effort to urge the government to negotiate salary increases for the period from 2019 to 2023.
Despite the union’s demands, the government has steadfastly refused to discuss salary increases for those years, opting instead to focus on current and future negotiations.
The government’s rejection of retrospective salary talks has been a major sticking point. This firm stance has led to a breakdown in collective bargaining, according to GTU President Dr. Mark Lyte.
During a press conference, Dr. Lyte expressed the union’s frustration over the government’s approach, which has been marked by unilateral salary decisions in recent years without meaningful engagement with the GTU.
Historical context of the strike
The strike action began three months ago but was temporarily suspended when the union took legal action against the government’s decision to cut salaries of striking teachers and stop deducting union dues.
After a brief period of halted actions due to court proceedings, and an initially promising mediation attempt, the situation escalated as the government remained inflexible on negotiating past salary increments.
Legal and international dimensions
The legal battle has reached significant heights, with the government planning to appeal a favourable judgement for the GTU to higher courts, including potentially the Caribbean Court of Justice. Despite the legal risks,
Dr. Lyte stated the union’s preparedness to continue their advocacy, emphasizing the necessity of fighting for a livable wage reflective of their professional training and experience.
Comparison of teacher salaries
In Guyana, the salary disparity among teachers is notable. Head teachers in top grades earn significantly more than their junior counterparts, with the lowest salaries being markedly less than those of teachers in other Caribbean nations with similar qualifications.
Legitimacy and legal rulings on the strike
Following a High Court ruling affirming the legality of the initial strike, the GTU views the upcoming strike as a continuation of their lawful protest against the government’s negotiation practices.
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