As the teachers’ strike enters its fourth week today, President of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) Mark Lyte yesterday announced that they will hold “funeral” ceremonies today at the usual protest symbolising the burial of politics and racism.
In a live video update on the GTU’s Facebook page, Lyte encouraged teachers to wear black and white and show up in their numbers. The union head also called for unity and action among teachers, parents, and other members of the community.
“So, we’re gonna bury Guyana tomorrow, the old Guyana. We’re gonna bury the shenanigans of politics and race… We’re burying politics and raising the bar. Tomorrow is funeral time… Slippers on the ground. We’re burying race and we’re burying politics tomorrow,” Lyte said in the video.
“I don’t want coffins. Don’t bring coffins. I don’t want to see anybody coming out with coffins. [We] coming out to sing Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me, ‘What a Friend we have in Jesus’, ‘In the Sweet By and By’,” Lyte said.
“Wherever you are… tomorrow, black and white is the order of the day. Yes, yes, yes, we’re burying race and politics. It has no place in Guyana in 2024. When we hear the public service union has given an ultimatum, the first thing that came out of the mouth of the presenter of the conference [is], ‘It is politics’. That strategy has been used for decades to divide Guyana. That strategy will not work.”
Lyte also stressed that the symbolic gesture of wearing black and white attire to bury divisive politics was important for the welfare of all Guyanese.
While emphasising the importance of debunking lies and remaining united in the face of challenges, Lyte expressed disappointment at the government’s lack of engagement with the union so far. He also urged teachers to stand together in their fight for better working conditions and support from the government.
The union president further pointed out the effect the strike has not only on teachers and students but private businesses as well. As such, he called on parents, taxi drivers, bus operators, and others to join in solidarity with the teachers.
So far, the strike action has seen teachers across Guyana taking to the streets outside the Education Departments in the various regions, protesting for the government to meet with the union to discuss better wages. The strike was initially slated to last for ten days but continued after the Ministry of Education made a move to cease the deduction of union dues on behalf of the teachers and threatened to cut the salaries of those on strike.
Last week’s ruling by Justice Sandil Kissoon against the immediate deductions of striking teachers’ salaries, pending the outcome of the court matter between the GTU and the government, marks a significant victory on the part of the union. Given the knowledge that their salaries are safe for now, it is expected that more teachers will be taking part in the ongoing industrial action.
