Three per cent pay hike offer an insult to teachers - PMJ
Stabroek News
June 20, 2004
The three per cent across the board offered by the government to teachers is provocative and an insult to the dignity of all those persons who remain committed to the profession.
This is according to the People's Movement for Justice (PMJ) which is calling on government to withdraw the offer and engage the Guyana Teachers' Union in meaningful discussions with a view to amicably resolving the impasse.
The PMJ said while it appreciates the GTU's initiative for arbitration proceedings, it is of the view that given recent experiences, the process of arbitration involving government and unions representing workers' interests can be the subject of further deadlock and manipulation by the state.
In a statement the group said it stands in solidarity with the GTU, its members and all workers in Guyana and will continue to support their legitimate efforts for a just and fair salary, improved benefits and working conditions. PMJ added that the offer is also below the Guyana Bureau of Statistics' consumer price index for 2003 which is pegged at 4.9%.