Dear Editor,
I do not always agree with Micheal Sinclair (Teachers are free to pursue studies out of school hours SN 2008-01-03). Most of the time I think that his attack on the Guyana Teachers’ Union is unnecessary. But I must agree with him when he says that some teachers were denied a proper Christmas because of the way the salary agreement is structured.
I am a trained teacher, a member of the GTU and a single mother of two. Last Christmas was the worst Christmas I have ever had in the past six years. Like everyone else I had believed that Vat would have reduced the cost of living and that in 2007, I would have had more money in my pocket to spend. Instead I found myself owing more and more money every month.
In November I received a little over ten thousand dollars ($10,000) in back pay and by the 4th of December, because of skyrocketing prices I was already broke. For Christmas, after paying my regular bills, I was left with $2000 to spend. Had the GTU agreed to have increases paid in December this would not have happened. This year (2008) for January I owe a lot more than I did last year January. I wish to urge the union to revisit the agreement as early as possible and to consult with teachers before they do.
Some teachers had it tough last year and no member of the Executive of the GTU found the time to greet us with a New Year’s message or to wish us all the best. Is this fair?
Yours faithfully,
(name and address supplied)
