A meeting between the Guyana Teachers' Union (GTU) and the Ministry of Education, under the aegis of the Chief Labour Officer, yesterday appeared to have set the stage for further dialogue between the union and the ministry next week.
Reports of the meeting, both from the ministry and the union, said that the talks were cordial and even though neither party gave way and stuck to their original position, indications were that both were willing to continue dialogue on related issues.
However, the GTU met with its Georgetown and Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica) membership yesterday and according to GTU President Sydney Murdock, the membership is calling for a total shutdown of the education system.
However, he said that such a decision would have to await meetings of the executive committee and general council. In the meantime teachers have been asked to stay away from school on March 19 and March 20.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Hydar Ally yesterday told Stabroek News that the ministry was optimistic about the talks continuing next week and for a decision to be arrived at on the way forward. He reiterated that the ministry was not prepared to go to arbitration.
Murdock yesterday said that until both parties arrived at a mutual decision on increases for teachers' salaries for last year, the issue of increased salaries for 2003 would not be dealt with.
However, in a general way, he said that the union was willing to engage the ministry in discussions.
Teachers effectively closed schools countrywide for two days last week, two days this week and intend to close school for another two days next week. (Miranda La Rose)