By Tracey Khan – Drakes
[www.inewsguyana.com] – The Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) is threatening to intensify its ‘work to rule’ industrial action to a full blown strike post elections if its demands are not met by government, according to the President of the Union, Mark Lyte.
This move by the GTU follows government’s non-payment of debunching monies, where are intended to cater to the salaries of teachers, whereby those with the same status will be paid based on their years of experience.
“GTU intends to intensify with time and this is just the beginning and we’re hoping that after the election period once we don’t hear anything positive, we may even go towards having teachers remain at home for a period to send a stronger message,” Lyte told iNews during a telephone interview on Wednesday, May 06.
The ‘work to rule’ action means that teachers will go to work each day as per norm but can leave after reporting faulty conditions to their Head Teachers. Teachersare only performing their assigned task.
Lyte noted that already the impact of their ‘work to rule’ move is being felt by a number of schools across the country, as he noted that students are being sent home and in some cases parents have been called in to assist schools with the supervision of classrooms after some teachers left.
“The teachers are just doing what they are required to do, which is in effect what the work to rule speak to, teachers turn up to work, they are working as per normal and where facilities are not in place we find that some teachers have opted to go home, like to use the washrooms and so on when its inadequate.”
The GTU President further noted that the Education Ministry has not shown any interest in stopping the industrial action. The GTU met government spokesman, Dr Roger Luncheon about two weeks ago, when they were informed of government’s inability to honour the debunching payment, a promise that was first made 10 years ago.
What a shame that you can’t see you are hurting the children of this nation. How much better can you display your ignorance people? ?
It is sad that the ministry of education can’t find the money now to pay the teachers for the debunching. Exercise when as a matter of fact Minister Manickchand said some months ago that the money was available and she blamed theGTU for not submitting the information Come on…our teachers are the poorest paid in the Caribbean! Give the teachers what they deserve. Remember teachers make ministers and presidents.
Mark Lyte is a known PNC of Rose Hall Town who was trained at CPCE. Rose Hall and subsequently attended the UGBC. Tain Campus at the PPP Government Expense.
Both of these two Institutions were brought to Berbice by the PPP Government.
Mark Lyte is married to an East Indian woman but still display racist attitude.
People of Berbice knows about Mark Lyte evil ways and corrupt lifestyle when he was a senior master at JC Chandisingh Secondary School, but he hides under the cloak of a Pastor.
So Mr. Lyte come off your hypocrisy!!
Mr Mark Lyte should give a full run down of all the schools that are affected by this work to rule and state their location. This will give a clear indication of his so called support. It is sickening that Teachers could work previously under conditions which are still the same prior the industrial action but they can go home NOW if it is still there.
Quote:The teachers are just doing what they are required to do, which is in effect what the work to rule speak to, teachers turn up to work, they are working as per normal and where facilities are not in place we find that some teachers have opted to go home, like to use the washrooms and so on when its inadequate.”
What this action is all about is clear to see; it is more political than industrial.It is silly of this head of the teaching union to expect ANY government at this side of the election to give in to any demands.As a trade unionist, he behaves like an absolute novice.
The opposition is very confident that they will oust the PPP/C from office so Mr Mark Lyte should be telling Granger and company of his intentions to go on full out strike. Bet he wouldn’t.
Mark Lyte is full of $$$$.