THE APNU+AFC led coalition government has begun to beef up talks with unions with the aim of coming to a compromise in many outstanding matters.This is indicative of two separate meetings held on Thursday by President David Granger and the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) and a second meeting between Minster of State Joseph Harmon and the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU).

The current wages and salaries multi-year agreement slated to end in December was the crux of the discussion between the GTU representatives and President David Granger.

Speaking briefly after the meeting with President Granger, Mark Lyte, President of the GTU said the union hopes to sort the outstanding issues out with the new administration so that its membership can be provided with clarity.

Lyte said too that one of the matters that is of major concern to the union is the de-bunching payments, which would ensure that teachers are paid on the basis of their qualifications.

“The assurance we have been given is that the President will discuss this matter with the Finance Minister and give us a feedback in the near future,” the GTU President said.

In 2011, former Minister of Education under the Bharrat Jagdeo
administration, Shaik Baksh, had negotiated a multi-year salaries and wages agreement with the union. The agreement included, apart from the yearly five percent salary increase for teachers, many non-salary benefits.
The multi-year agreement was aimed at addressing an anomaly that has existed for years, whereby teachers who were part of the system for a number of years received the same salary as a teacher of the same or similar status who recently started the profession.

The implementation of the “debunching” payments where teachers were remunerated and allocated according to their qualifications never materialised.

The GTU took industrial action many times in the past to address that issue and has said it will be one of the key demands it will be making in the union’s new agreement with government. GTU president Mark Lyte earlier this week said government’s non-payment of debunching funds promised to teachers will result in industrial action once again. Lyte argued that something must be done to facilitate hardworking teachers countrywide.
“Teachers are so agitated about this payment that it can lead to the resumption of industrial action that was suspended May last,” he advised. “Let it be known that the GTU is committed to having everyone receive their debunching funds,” Lyte said on Wednesday at a press conference.
Meanwhile, Minister of State Joseph Harmon who has responsibility for the Public Service Department, accompanied by Permanent Secretary of the Public Service Department Reginald Brotherson and Head of the Political Division Ministry of the Presidency Freddy Mc Wilfred, met with GPSU representatives at the Union’s headquarters, on Thursday.

Several issues were raised, including proposed wage increases for public servants, boosting the morale of public servants and a stronger relationship with the government were discussed. The meeting was aimed at informing Harmon of the union’s last Statutory Executive Meeting as other issues, which have been pending for a number of years under the former administration.
Harmon told the GTUC team, which comprised the First Vice-President, Mortimer Livan and included Second Vice-President Dawn Gardener and General Secretary Kemton Alexander, that it is President Granger’s wish and by extension the government’s to build a stronger relationship with the workers’ representative body.
“I want to express our happiness at being here today. A relationship is not just you coming to the employer but the employer must also come to you. We want you to take this visit here as a significant change in the relationship between the GPSU and the Government of Guyana. We are your employers and neighbours. Our offices are open to you and we want to establish a relationship of respect and mutual understanding and I want to emphasise the government’s approach and the government’s adherence to collective bargaining agreements. Once they are entered into, it is our obligation to at all times, ensure that those agreements are upheld,” Minister Harmon told the union’s representatives.
After the 40-minute meeting, the Minister of State gave government’s commitment to addressing the concerns raised. He said public servants must be able to work in a happy and safe environment and the government will ensure that this is achieved. The union in turn committed to fostering a good relationship with the new government, provided it continues to be willing to listen to and address issues facing public servants.
Thursday’s visit by the Minister of State and team followed a letter from the union requesting an urgent meeting and a number of issues were raised by members of the union. The union expressed much optimism that under the new administration, the union would be able to have a better relationship with government.
Government will meet with the union again before year-end.