Teachers from the Guyana Teachers Union are threatening to pull out of the 44th Annual Ministry of Education/GTU, national track and field, cycling and swimming championships, scheduled for the Mackenzie Sports Club ground from March 11 to 14.
This is according to GTU’s Field Officer Lance Baptiste.
Baptiste told Stabroek Sports yesterday that GTU has given the Ministry of Education up to midday today to come to a compromise on the Union’s request on wage hike for teachers.
“If by then (midday today) we do not receive word from the ministry, we will have to inform them that the teachers will not be officiating at the championships,” Baptiste stated, adding “we are not saying no sports, what we are saying is, the teachers will not be officiating and the Ministry can find officials to do the job.”
Baptiste said the sponsors, Nestle Milo, will be informed of GTU’s decision. “Empty bags will not be able to stand,” Baptiste quipped adding “we will inform them (sponsors) that if nothing is done by the Ministry with regards to the pay hike, then they and the ministry can conduct the sports.”
Nearly 200 teachers are used every year to act as officials.
Baptiste, after today’s noon deadline passes the GTU will inform the districts outside of Georgetown whether to travel to Linden or not. Baptiste said some districts, especially those from Region 1 (Barima/Waine) and Region 9 (Upper Takatu/Upper Essequibo) will want to start their journey to the Games Village as early as tomorrow unless notified otherwise.
“I hope good sense prevails, since the athletes have done their part (preparation) and are raring to go,” the administrator stated.
Baptiste said he would hate to know that over 1600 athletes expected to participate in the annual event, suffer the same fate as Guyanese athletes suffered when Guyana joined with African nations in 1976 and boycotted the Montreal Olympic Games in Canada.
Baptiste said the strike action by the GTU is justified since persons employed as cleaners at schools, receive more pay than some teachers.
“The minister had said he sees nothing wrong with cleaners receiving more pay than some teachers and stated that that situation will be addressed by 2005,” Baptiste said.
This year’s championships have been plauged with problems from the onset.
The organisers had difficulties securing a venue and was forced to write the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education for assistance after sending letters to the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) for the use of it’s Bourda facility, the Manager, Uitvlugt Estate for the use of Uitvlugt Community Centre ground and the Commissioner of Police, for the use of the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary. No favourable response was received.
Baptiste reasoned that should the championships not come off, then all the preparations that have been made since last year, and are still in progress, will go in vain.
Baptiste had explained earlier that should the activity not come off, persons to represent Guyana at junior international meets will not be able to showcase their talent in a bid to gain selection.