After 90 minutes of discussion the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) and the Ministry of Education have decided to take the current wage dispute to arbitration.
Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle told media operatives that the two parties are currently working on the terms of the arbitration process. He and his team from the Department of Labour had been asked to step out of the meeting to allow for the finalisation of these terms.
Teachers were on strike on the first day of the new school term this week. Hundreds across the country heeded their union’s call to strike after more than two years of fruitless negotiations for a multi-year wage package with the government.
The Ministry of Education this evening issued the following statement:
Dear Colleagues,
Today the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) and the Ministry of Education (MoE) met at the Ministry of Social Protection, Department of Labour and resumed conciliation talks in an effort to resolve the impasse between the GTU and the MoE that has resulted in a countrywide strike by teachers. At that meeting, it was agreed by both disputants that the conciliation process was not bearing fruit and both parties agreed to proceed to arbitration.
The parties also agreed that the nationwide strike action by teachers is called off with immediate effect with teachers expected to return to the classrooms tomorrow. Further, the GTU and the MoE agreed to mutual terms of reference for the arbitration process.
All for your consideration,