GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC -The Guyana Academics Union (GTU) says it has held “fruitful” discussions with representatives of the Ministry of Schooling, getting the federal government to agree to think about proposed wage will increase from 2019 to 2023.
“We’re not going to simply accept single digits,” mentioned GTU president Dr Mark Lyte, including that the union had succeeded in getting the federal government facet to again down from its place that the multi-year settlement ought to start in 2024.
The GTU’s proposal supplies for 25 p.c in 2019 and 20 p.c for 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Nevertheless, in an announcement late Thursday evening, the Ministry of Schooling denied reaching an settlement with the GTU over the multi-year interval for pay negotiations.
“The federal government maintains its authentic place that any multi-year settlement should begin in 2024, not retroactively,” mentioned Saddam Hussain, Chief Schooling Officer.
He described as “deceptive” earlier media studies in regards to the settlement, saying they created the misunderstanding that the federal government has agreed there shall be a multi-year settlement 2019-2023.
“It is a proposal by the union that can be mentioned,” the ministry mentioned.
“The Ministry of Schooling reiterates its dedication to persevering with dialogue with the Guyana Academics’ Union, which has been ongoing and has produced a number of noteworthy outcomes that may profit lecturers, youngsters, and the system as an entire,” it added.
Lyte mentioned that the 2 sides, which met on Thursday, additionally determined that as a substitute of Phrases of Reference, there can be “signed minutes on the finish of every assembly,” including “that turns into a binding association on the finish of each session.”
Lyte mentioned he was “a bit extra optimistic” on Thursday than “severe disagreements” in regards to the multi-year settlement.
“I feel in direction of the tip of the day, we have been capable of agree on the best way ahead in order that this course of will lead to a signed doc,” he added.
The 2 sides will resume what he acknowledged as “collective bargaining” subsequent Tuesday.
The discussions on Thursday stemmed from a Excessive Courtroom-ordered mediated settlement between the GTU and the Ministry of Schooling, marking the tip of a one-month nationwide strike by public college lecturers for collective bargaining for elevated salaries and allowances.
The Schooling Ministry mentioned among the issues recognized for dialogue by the GTU are the wage issues included within the multi-year proposal 2019-2023, a 2% distinction in wage for 2017 and 2018, clothes allowance improve, and Whitley Council being paid each three years.
It has additionally recognized trainer absenteeism and punctuality, poor-performing colleges, steady skilled training, and syllabus completion as matters for dialogue.
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