Labour Minister calls Guyana Teacher’s Union (GTU) strike illegal

The Guyana Teacher’s Union (GTU) has announced a strike from the 5th of February to the 16th of February, prompting the Labour Minister, Joseph Hamilton, to call the strike ‘illegal’ during a national address on Monday.

The Ministry of Labour has also written to the Guyana Teacher’s Union (GTU), stating that the strike goes against the nation’s laws and pre-established agreements between the Union and the government of Guyana.

Hamilton stated the following, “Any strike that is called by the Guyana Teachers Union will be deemed illegal and illegitimate by the Ministry of Labour. The General Secretary, Coretta McDonald, and the executive of GTU are fully aware based on the correspondence between the union and the chief labour officer that they were attempting to have him override procedures and the stages that are necessary for good labour relations.”

He also asked teachers to remain resolute and not get pressurized into participating in the strike by the Guyana Teacher’s Union (GTU).

He added, “Do not allow the Guyana Teachers Union and its executives to threaten you or intimidate you. They cannot and they are in no position to cause you to lose your job [or] to cause you not to be promoted.”

Hamilton has publicly promised that he will do everything within the remit of his office to ensure that the rights of teachers in the nation are protected.

The Ministry of Education and the Teaching Service Commission have explained their stance on the matter, warning teachers who wish to go on strike that the law is on the side of the authorities and teachers could be reprimanded.

Joseph Hamilton has also asked teachers to follow the protocols that have been put in place for their benefit, to voice their grievances in the appropriate manner.

He added that doing so is a far better alternative than disrupting teaching services, which would be to the detriment of all the parties involved. He has also shown a willingness to facilitate a dialogue between the Guyana Teacher’s Union and the relevant authorities, so as to help resolve the issue.

This is a pivotal moment for the education services of Guyana, as the next few weeks could decide if the authorities and the GTU will be able to arrive at terms that are acceptable to both sides or if the GTU will go on strike, thus disrupting teaching services in the nation.

The possibility of action being taken against them if the situation arises further complicates the matter and has the potential to widen the rift between the two sides.