The Guyana Teachers’ Union yesterday made it quite clear that it still has not accepted the proposal made by the Ministry of Education regarding wages and salaries for the teachers and they will continue discussions at the level of conciliation.
Rainy season continues
As we all know that May to mid-July is one of the country’s rainy seasons.
But although it has been raining constantly from Sunday afternoon to much of yesterday, that didn’t stop Guyanese from going on with their daily routine.
As a matter of fact it was busy in the city as usual. Some people, especially the kids, were actually enjoying the weather. The vendors and some stores were making quick dollars from selling umbrellas.
According to a source from the Hydromet Office, 8.4 millimeters of rainfall was recorded on Sunday, June 29, 28.1 millimeters on Monday, and 14.0 millimeters on Tuesday.
During a check around Georgetown, the Chronicle observed that the places that are usually flooded were not.
The rain is expected to ease up today.
President of the Guyana Teachers Union Mr. Sydney Murdock had asked the Ministry of Education to present their offer in writing and according to the Permanent Secretary (P.S) of the Ministry of Education, this was undertaken since Tuesday.
The P.S said that they have since been awaiting a response.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mr. Ganga Persaud, told the Chronicle that the proposals were as follows:
Fifty million dollars is to be used to bring those teachers who are below the public service minimum wage up to the same for 2003.
Secondly, $15 million is to be factored into 2003 to close the dispute over 2002, while Whitely Council Vacation Leave Allowance for 2003 is $60 million.
And finally, they are offering a 3 percent increase in salaries for 2003 for all teachers in the Guyana Public Education System.
Mr. Murdock, in a letter replying to the proposal, said that the union refuses to waste time indulging in talks at the bilateral level.
He said that with regards to the money being offered by the Ministry, the money is supposed to bring teachers below the public service minimum wage up to the same level for 2002 and not 2003.
According to Murdock, the $15M to close the dispute for 2002 and the three percent for all teachers is what former Permanent Secretary, Mr. Hydar Ally, on June 18 offered.
He further noted that that was the reason the union opted for conciliation.
Murdock said that although the $60M has been promised in writing, teachers are still awaiting the allowance.
Talks broke down between the two parties in December after the Ministry announced increases of 5-15 percent for 2002 and said that the issue was closed.
This prompted the union to take strike action for varying periods in March, April and May.