THE Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) is looking into the possibility of filing an injunction against the Ministry of Education (MoE) from cutting the salaries of teachers who participate in the proposed strike action.

This was disclosed on Monday, at the first of many meetings with teachers, that the union is carrying out in a bid to continue to garner support, and reassure teachers ahead of the planned strike action set to begin from August 27, and run indefinitely.

President of the Union Mark Lyte, disclosed that the union is not prepared to pay strike relief should teachers’ pay be affected, but noted that the union was expected to meet with a lawyer to look into a suggestion that they file an injunction against the ministry preventing it from deducting teachers’ pay.

“We will be contacting the lawyer to deal with that injunction that was raised. We haven’t done that as yet, but we are going to be pursuing that. We have to talk with our lawyer and get a document prepared,” Lyte confirmed.

On the issue of strike relief Lyte said: “That’s a consideration that the union has to look at, we have to look at our capacity for strike relief, we’re currently assessing that right now. If you’re offering strike relief it would have to be a large sum. The union has other expenses that we have to take care of on a monthly basis. The maintenance of our properties, conferences, we have staff both in Berbice and here [GTU headquarters], two buildings so there’s a lot of money that is spent to take care of other administrative duties. So there’s not enough money saved for event of this nature.”

Nonetheless, thus far the teachers are remaining resolute on their call for a strike, which was initiated after failed talks with the MoE over a raise in salary and other issues. The executives of the union, on Monday, held two meetings with teachers at its headquarters on Woolford Avenue and at the Enmore Community Centre. Further meetings are planned for Linden, Bartica, Essequibo, West Bank, and Region One in the coming days.

At the meetings, which saw the teachers turning out in huge numbers, they were cautioned against possible victimisation and threats, reassuring each other that they are in this together. “Victimization is not something that is supported by our constitution, and all of you must watch, for if anyone tries to victimise the executive or members we must all take a stand. So any instance of victimisation you need to report it, so we can air it because no teacher deserves to be victimised for something that is rightly deserved by them,” warned Lyte.