By Khadidja Ba
In a move that has sparked outrage, the leadership of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) has signed off on a new salary and benefits agreement with the Ministry of Education, despite strong objections from the union’s negotiation team and general membership.
The agreement, which was finalised in a meeting on Wednesday August 21, 2024, includes a 10% salary increase for teachers for this year; a figure many have deemed insufficient to keep pace with the rising cost of living in Guyana. “When we look at 10% and we do the calculations, and we look at equivalence in dollars, you tell us, how is 10% going to cushion the cost of living?” General Secretary of the GTU Coretta McDonald asked at a press conference held yesterday at GTU.
The agreement was struck after 75 days of industrial action. McDonald highlighted several key discrepancies between the government’s proposals and the union’s demands. Notably, there was a $10,000 shortfall in uniform allowances, and a salary increase that, after accounting for inflation, amounts to only a 5.5% real increase.
McDonald criticised the union’s President Mark Lyte and Vice President Julian Cambridge for deceiving teachers by presenting the agreement as more favourable than it is. She accused them of colluding with the government and misleading the General Council, which was not properly informed about the terms of the agreement before it was signed. This lack of transparency has led to accusations of betrayal among the union’s ranks.
Attempts to contact Lyte has been futile as he repeatedly declined calls from this newspaper.
McDonald further stated that Lyte’s decision to sign the deal despite requests for more time was disrespectful and dismissive of the council’s role. Vanessa Kissoon, a member of the negotiation team, corroborated McDonald’s claims, expressing frustration over the lack of consultation. “The president gave our members the impression that his non-salary benefits were all in our favour, which was not so,” Kissoon said, accusing him of deceiving the negotiation committee and the broader council.
The General Council, which was expected to play a crucial role in approving or rejecting the agreement, was reportedly sidelined.
Kissoon recounted that the final 10% salary offer was presented abruptly and without sufficient consultation with the team. According to her, the negotiation team was not informed of the details until after the General Council had already voted. She expressed concern that the issues extend beyond mere financial terms, pointing to allegations of a lack of transparency and possible collusion between the union’s leadership and the government. “The president and the second vice president already knew what they were going to do, what they planned to do today, and in layman’s terms, we would say, sell out teachers,” Kissoon said.
“As a man of integrity, a man who calls himself a pastor, all he did was to deceive the teachers,” she added, referring to Lyte. She further expressed he’s disappointment with the process
Concerns over the legality of the agreement were also raised. McDonald stated that key officers’ names were missing and questioned whether the agreement was valid under such circumstances. The agreement’s provisions, including various allowances and increments, were criticised for their inadequacy and perceived as a personal gain for some union leaders rather than a fair settlement for teachers. It includes a 10% salary increase for 2024, with additional increments in the following years, but teachers argue that it fails to address the rising cost of living adequately. Additionally, the $5,000 uniform allowance has been deemed insufficient. “When they made the offer to us of $5,000, my response to them was quite simple. I said, we cannot accept that offer unless we hear what is number one. Because the whole reason that we are here, the reason that we have a strike, the reason for everything, is that teachers are [not receiving a] livable wage,” McDonald said.
Meanwhile, reports are that teachers across Guyana are mobilising, with plans to hold meetings in their respective branches to determine the next course of action. The union’s general council, which is the second-highest decision-making body, is expected to play a crucial role in the coming days as the membership seeks to address what they see as a betrayal of their interests. “Membership will decide which is the next avenue,” said McDonald. “There is no saying that it cannot be raised nor that it cannot be put on hold, but as we speak, our membership will decide which is the next avenue.”
Both McDonald and Kissoon are members of the opposition PNCR and the government ahs repeatedly accused the General Secretary of politicsing the union, a clam she has vehemently denied.
Praised
Meantime, President Irfaan Ali has expressed his satisfaction with the agreement. In a statement, Ali praised the collaborative effort that led to the conclusion of the deal, underscoring the government’s commitment to revolutionising and modernising the nation’s education sector.
“From the beginning, I emphasised the need for open dialogue to resolve every issue at the negotiating table,” President Ali stated. “I am pleased that the GTU, alongside the Permanent Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the MOE, successfully finalised an agreement that reflects our ongoing dedication to the development of teachers and the improvement of their working conditions.”
Apart from the 10% increase for this year, teachers will receive an 8% increase in 2025, followed by 9% in 2026. There is an adjustable clause that ensures teachers will benefit from any higher increases announced for the public service during these years. Additionally, there is a 156% increase in the Remote Area Incentive, which will rise from $9,000 to $23,000 per month. This adjustment aims to attract more teachers to remote regions, ensuring better educational access across Guyana.
Other benefits include increased monthly allowances of $32,000 for doctoral degree holders, $22,000 for master’s degree holders and $7,000 for those with graduate diplomas. The clothing allowance increases by 88%, while allowances for teachers in difficult conditions will rise by up to 67%. In addition, senior teachers will benefit from increased duty-free concessions, including eligibility for cars, outboard motors, or ATVs for those in hinterland areas. Scholarships will see a 100% increase annually, and retired teachers who return to the profession will be paid at their last salary rate.
