By Abigail Headley
Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) President Mark Lyte is urging the government to swiftly resolve the ongoing teachers’ strike that has persisted for an extended period. Speaking out yesterday against the government’s perceived lack of empathy and failure to engage constructively, Lyte emphasized the urgent need for dialogue to bring an end to the standoff.
“This strike has gone on for too long. The government has to be the bigger person in the room. The Minister of Labour, who has a role to play in being a mediator, has taken the position of saying GTU must call off the strike,” Lyte said in a live video posted on the GTU’s Facebook (FB) page yesterday afternoon.
Indicating that schools across Guyana have seen less than 30% student turnouts over the past two weeks, the GTU president expressed doubt that the government actually cares about the nation’s children.
“… How can a caring government sit back and allow 70% of the learners not to be engaged by their teachers, because they have taken an arrogant position? They rock back in their chairs of arrogance and pride and did everything except engage the union,” he said.
Lyte also noted that the union has not yet heard from anyone on the side of the government regarding a meeting. GTU has, however, on more than one occasion, addressed the relevant authorities, expressing a readiness to meet with them at the bargaining table on behalf of teachers.
“The union has said it and I have said it. I’ve said it repeatedly. And I know the General Secretary [Coretta McDonald] has said it too. That we are ready. We are ready to engage. We are ready to engage. But this government has sat on their hands, and they are playing the waiting game… I don’t see how they care. How do you care, by giving grants? It’s a sad situation,” Lyte noted.
Expressing disappointment at the government’s stance, Lyte accused them of arrogance and emphasized the importance of addressing the teachers’ needs through dialogue and collaboration. He further called on parents and retirees to come out in unity and join in the fight for fair treatment and improved conditions for educators.
“I want to say to the retirees: when teachers get a raise, your pension will also improve. You will have better living conditions as a retiree. So, we welcome you to join us as well. To the parents whose children are not at school, or when they’re at school, they’re doing nothing. Come out and join us. Let us join our voices together to send the strongest possible message to the government of the day that they must speak with our teachers. They must speak with the teachers’ union,” he urged.
The GTU president also addressed those teachers who remained in school and chose to work through the first two weeks of the strike. “I find your actions to be selfish. Whatever the penalties are, the world is watching,” he said.
On this note, Lyte highlighted the support that has been coming in from international bodies, such as Education International, in solidarity with the striking teachers. He urged stakeholders to stand with the teachers and demand accountability from the government, emphasizing the teachers’ determination to achieve their objectives and stressing the importance of a unified effort in bringing about meaningful change.
In another appeal to the government, he urged, “Get off your rocking chair, swallow your pride. We didn’t bring this on ourselves. You pushed us to where we are… It is disrespectful. It is unconscionable. It is heartless. It is barbaric. It is inhumane to have the educators of this country [on the road] for 10 days… We must end this and end it quickly. We must let good sense prevail.”
The past two weeks have seen teachers coming out in their numbers in the different regions across Guyana to protest for better wages from the government. Armed with placards and utilizing their voices in chants, the teachers braved the heat of the sun and sometimes drizzles of rain. But their efforts so far, seemingly had no effect on the relevant authorities as there has been no promise of meeting at the bargaining table.
Instead, the Ministry of Education (MoE) has moved to discontinue the deduction of union dues on behalf of teachers to be paid to the GTU. The ministry even went further and threatened to cut the salaries of teachers who have been on strike. In response to this, the GTU has taken to the court in an effort to stay the salary deductions, pending the outcome of the matter.
During their protest on Friday, teachers of Paramakatoi displayed their detailed placards that spelled out their grievances concerning the 6.5% salary increase which public servants have received from the government. Some of their placards read:
“Staff working conditions are students’ working conditions”
“We do double work, we deserve double pay”
“$800 for a pound of chicken, 6.5% not clicking”
“Teachers have bills too, teachers have to feed families too”
“Stop stifling the teachers, enough is enough”.
As Lyte made his address on Facebook, encouraging words from teachers and parents filled the comments’ section. One commenter, Shunelle Elona Sam-Jordan affirmed that she is in solidarity with her union for the long haul. “I don’t care what they cut, we have to make a statement to this government, [and] we are not backing down. We are here for a purpose and that purpose must be fulfilled. GTU all the way,” she said.
Sam-Jordan’s comment was echoed by others. The strike, which was initially scheduled to last for 10 days, enters day 11 today.
