Dear Editor,
At a crucial crossroad in its struggle, the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) is stricken by its own internal differences. To some the president is seen as a PPP Government chisel; from the government’s perspective, the general secretary is PNC through and through. Whatever Mr. Lyte or Ms. McDonald is, it is not the government’s 10% that was about to be accepted, nor the 20% making the rounds. Sure, 20% can do much for teachers. With that number as part of an intricate negotiation dance, it is too much at one shot and too early in the package under review. To emphasize where I stand, it is not the 10% ultimatum delivered president to president, while there is heavy weather anticipated from the government side for 20% counter, though it rings well.
Teachers manifested abundant good faith in coming off the streets after over two months in rain and sun, should earn a point. Also, the years surrendered by the GTU must yield some return, the sacrifice recognized. It is worth 10 percentage points minimum. Using the PPP Government’s insulting initial offer of 6%, the first number should have been 16%. Speaking for myself, somewhere between 15-20% is where matters should be for 2024. I think that is fair, reasonable, and justified by circumstances, represents mutual give and take.
To date, all the numbers published for 2024 and thereafter point to a downward sliding scale, the wrong way. I think that is backwards. Whatever is the finalized starting point for offer/counteroffer and acceptance-be it 15, 16, or even 20% – the later increases must be higher than 2024. If the 2024 number must be a shade lower (14-16%) to accommodate more in 2025 and 2026, then let it be. After all, with daily oil production ramping up incessantly, and new oil projects coming on stream, it was Jagdeo, who spoke of returns to Guyana being maximized in a few years. Amen. Thus: I say also that Guyana would be even better equipped moneywise to be constructive with pay increases to teachers starting today.
If the Chief Policymaker is still up in arms about inflationary pressures building from a 20% (or whatever) increase for teachers, then I recommend that he considers a policy revisit with a sharp eye at the allocation side of massive budgetary expenditures. Even a man of his nature, one not so friendly with presenting a straight setting, would be tormented by the heavy tilt of such expenditures in one direction. Jagdeo is sensible enough to appreciate the accuracy of this assertion; he must be bold enough to make the proper adjustments. The teachers’ pay package stands as a test of how balanced he can be. He is the driving force, the final arbiter, behind what budget records have come to look like, and who is favoured, who is not. When billions could always be found for sugar by the PPP Government (Jagdeo), then the sourness of inflation that he cries about, pretends to fear, is a product of his fevered political imagination.
The 10% versus 20% pay increase for teachers is a test case for where other local workers will end up. How they are seen, how they are treated. The GTU has been the legionnaire fighting a single handed battle against a fearsome adversary. The PPP Government has been dogged with skimpy offers. A happy medium must be found. It is neither 10 nor 20%. Both represent a beginning; both sides must give to get.
Sincerely,
GHK Lall
