PEOPLE’S National Congress-Reform (PNC-R) Executive Member, Gary Best, has admitted that the strike action orchestrated by the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) is “political.”

This position is contrary to what the GTU has been claiming since the commencement of the strike action.
Additionally, even though protesters were yelling, “we ain’t playing politics,” Best later gave media operatives on the picket line a different message on Wednesday.

He emphasised: “Those who think that it is being politicised, it is being politicised,” while giving his rationale behind the view and stating that it is because the government is a “political entity.”

Moreover, despite the numerous incentives that have been rolled out by the current government to address cost-of-living, Best still purported that the budget is aimed to “keep people in poverty.”
Notably, President Dr Irfaan Ali, announced last month that approximately $100 billion will be put back into the pockets of people and into the economy.

For instance, $7 billion was set aside to target specific groups in cost-of-living adjustment measures.
Moreover, the budget also outlines new initiatives which include:- the provision of health vouchers for pensioners and children, improved firefighting facilities at Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and measures with the write-off of outstanding student loans owed by students to the University of Guyana.

CONCERNS
Since the beginning of the strike action on Monday, many have questioned the integrity of it, especially given the remarks from the Union’s officials such as GTU General Secretary, Coretta McDonald.
On Monday, revelations by McDonald, about a “corporate sponsor” offering to reimburse striking teachers’ potential salary deductions caused concern among sections of society.

McDonald, who also serves as a parliamentarian for the APNU+AFC opposition, made this revelation while being interviewed during a protest outside of the Ministry of Education.

“If they decide that they are going to deduct monies from our teachers’ salaries… that’s good news for us because corporate sponsors out there have already pledged that they will reimburse our teachers,” McDonald said.
However, she did not disclose the sponsor’s identity and the specifics of the agreement.

She has faced backlash over the involvement of an undisclosed corporate sponsor, with critics suggesting that such support may condition the actions and rhetoric of the GTU, especially given McDonald’s dual role as a union leader and a political figure.

This situation raises questions about the potential for conflicts of interest, where the interests of the sponsor could intersect with the union’s strategies and goals in ways that might not align with the best interests of the teachers or the educational system at large.

Furthermore, citizens have questioned the promise of financial reimbursement to striking teachers stating that it introduces a new dynamic into the traditional risks associated with labour strikes, potentially encouraging participation by mitigating the economic consequences for individuals.

The Ministry of Education, in response, had issued notices to teachers urging the reporting of threats and intimidation related to the strike, underscoring the contentious environment surrounding the GTU’s actions.

As calls for the disclosure of the corporate sponsor’s identity grow louder, people have shifted focus to the need for accountability and clarity in financing labour movements, particularly when such movements intersect with political interests and the welfare of public services like education.