Striking teachers in protest march

Guyana Chronicle
March 27, 2003

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THE strike action called by the Guyana Teachers' Union (GTU) intensified yesterday as teachers and supporters took to the streets of Georgetown to press demands for better wages, among other benefits.

The action followed a six-day strike over the past three weeks, which according to GTU General Secretary, Ms. Avril Crawford failed to stir a response from the Ministry of Education.

The teachers carried placards as they marched from the GTU headquarters in Woolford Avenue from about 10:00 hrs.

The large group marched down Main Street and into Brickdam where they made a brief stop at the Education Ministry.

As the large crowd passed the Brickdam Secondary School where some classes seemed to be in session, some marchers shouted "Shame" and "Traitors".

As they marched up Brickdam and around the Square of the Revolution they were also chanting "Jeffrey must go", referring to Education Minister, Dr. Henry Jeffrey.

They then headed back to GTU headquarters where they were addressed by union President, Mr. Sydney Murdock "on the way forward".

Minister of Labour, Dr. Dale Bisnauth has appointed a three-man advisory committee to deal with the dispute between the union and the Ministry of Education over more pay for last year, among other issues.

Chief Labour Officer, Mr. Mohamed Akeel, in a statement Tuesday, said the minister was concerned that the strike had escalated from two days a week to "an indefinite period", despite efforts by the Labour Ministry to resolve the matter.

He said both parties have been advised of the setting up of the committee and the GTU, as a result, has been requested to discontinue its industrial action.

The team is to enquire into the dispute between the parties and "make such report and recommendation as (it) deems expedient", he said.

Murdock yesterday said the union is completely shutting down the school system "for as long as it is necessary"

He said another protest action will be called "if it becomes necessary".

He said that with the protest action "teachers have signalled to the ministry that they are serious about their demands".

Although no march has been planned for today, teachers will continue to stay away from school until further notice, union officials said.

As the industrial action continues, students preparing to write examinations continue to miss out on valuable last minute tuition.

Meanwhile, in a press release issued by the General Workers' Union, General Secretary Panchan Singh said the union "supports fully the Guyana Teachers' Union in their just struggle for the restoration of the fundamental principle of free collective bargaining."

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