The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), from media reports, was expressly disappointed and deeply disturbed by what seems to be another tactic deployed by the Government to frustrate the nation’s teachers and their Union’s desire to bring resolution to their demands for improved pay and enhanced conditions of work. The newest measure cannot be disconnected from several other maneuvers that were embraced to prolong and delay the settlement of the long-standing dispute. It is simply upsetting that the Administration, at every possible opportunity, has sought to employ delaying tactics for reasons best known to itself. Interestingly, while the Government is seeking at every turn to procrastinate, the Guyanese people should not forget that it wasted almost no time in awarding itself princely pay rises in addition to other improvements.
For the FITUG, the Administration’s rejection of the personalities proposed by the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) to lead the Arbitration process, without any rhyme or reason, further serves to expose the Government’s anti-working-class nature. Moreover, it goes to show the level of seriousness the Government is paying to the plight of the teachers and our nation’s workers generally. The Federation fully upholds the GTU’s rejection of the Government’s nominees and agreed wholeheartedly that dark shadows, real or perceived, would be cast on the Tribunal’s independence with a Government-employee at the helm. It is indeed saddening that the Government has taken such a belligerent approach especially taking into account the sober and responsible approach the Union has adopted and maintained.
The Administration scant concern for the workers plight has only been further exposed by this latest development. We agree whole heartedly with the GTU President, Mark Lyte who was reported in the September 16, 2018 Kaieteur News as saying that “we are doomed under this administration.” Certainly, when one looks how far workers’ rights and concerns have slipped on the Administration’s agenda there is hardly any reason not to agree with the GTU President. The FITUG urges the Government to stop playing games and to act responsibly and live up to its undertakings and have the matter addressed by a credible, independent tribunal.
