“No Money, No Work!” was one of the many chants from the teachers of Linden who took to the streets to protest and continue the ongoing strike on Friday last.
A live video stream posted on Shadow Minister of Culture Youth and Sport Jermaine Figuiera Facebook page showed the teachers of Linden, Region Ten protesting on the street. They gathered in front of the Shell Gas Station, where another chant was heard, “If Priya was a teacher she would have joined the strike!”
The scene was one of solidarity and defiance, as teachers from across Linden converged to amplify their demands for improved salaries. The throng swelled, a testament to the growing discontent among the teaching community. Other members of the opposition were also seen out, in support of the teachers. Students dressed in uniform were also seen standing with their teachers in show of support for the movement.
In a show of solidarity, individuals were seen making donations of cases of water and juice to the striking teachers. One such person was former head teacher Sandra James who agreed with Figueira (a past student of hers) that it was time for a change in the teaching profession. “I am just passing around and said let me give that [juices and water] to the teachers,” she said, adding, “It is high time they raise the salary of teachers; we work under pressure but it is high time, cost of living is too high it is rough.”
The chants continued with some teachers using paint buckets as drums, to amplify their voices.
In a prior interview with the Stabroek News, the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) General Secretary Coretta McDonald shared that despite efforts to engage in dialogue with the ministries of Labour and Education, there had been little progress. She expressed her frustration with the government’s handling of negotiations. According to her, in 2020, a proposal which was supposed to span from 2020 to 2023 was submitted by the union to the government with no response forthcoming to date. The GTU had also written to the Labour Ministry requesting arbitration. That request, which was the final stage, was also left unanswered.
In light of GTU’s announcement of a strike, McDonald revealed, the Ministry of Labour had asked that the union resend its letters, stating that they had been misplaced. The General Secretary confirmed her agreement to resend them.
The latest communication concluded by recognizing the difficulties encountered by the government amidst the present socio-economic challenges, while underscoring the union’s dedication to addressing its concerns through constructive dialogue. Highlighting that resorting to industrial action was a final recourse to ensure fair negotiations on salaries and benefits for members, McDonald urged the government to adhere to labour laws and collaborate with all state employee unions.
She stated that the GTU was committed to fostering a positive relationship with the Ministry of Labour and the government at large.
Which Hamilton had addressed the teachers considering involvement in the strike. In a video shared on the Labour Ministry’s Facebook page, he accused GTU executive members of traversing Guyana and persuading teachers to join the industrial action, which he labelled as unlawful.
“Your employer would be duty-bound to take whatever necessary disciplinary action against you,” Hamilton cautioned teachers.
The Ministry of Education had also flooded its Facebook page with photos of schools in session around the country. Meanwhile, netizens in support of the teachers took to the platform to show their support for the industrial action while others referred to it as a reckless move by the teachers considering that examinations are around the corner.
While visiting schools around Georgetown, Stabroek News spoke to a few teachers who indicated that although they were still teaching due to the upcoming exams, they are in support of their fellow teachers since they too would like to see changes made.
