GTU takes gov’t to court over planned deductions
fluctuations in numbers, the Union is strategizing to ensure a presence on the picket line daily.
Among the more than a dozen declarations being sought by the Union, is that government breached the principles of natural justice by depriving the Union its right to be heard before determining that dues will be deducted from the wages and salaries of teachers, while at the same time deeming the industrial action illegal.
The Union also wants the court to declare that government breached natural justice by purporting that it disseminated threats and cyberbullying via social media against teachers who did not participate in the industrial actions and that the Union used racist and divisive sentiments.
These claims made by the government, the Union said are “unfounded and unfair.”
The Union is contending also that Deonarine’s failure to establish conciliation under the memorandum of agreement between the Ministry of Education and the Guyana Teachers’ Union for the avoidance and settlement of disputes is a dereliction of duty.
Further, the Applicants want an order of mandamus directing Hoosein-Outar to retract her letter dated the 6th February, 2024, and apologise to the Applicant on three consecutive Saturdays in daily newspapers of wide circulation.
In addition to the declarations being sought, the Union is seeking aggravated and exemplary damages, costs and all other orders the court deem just to grant.
Background
As the strike picked up momentum, the ministries of education and local government and regional development on Monday declared that those teachers who have been absent without excuse will not be paid and that this will be reflected in their March salaries.
It was following that announcement that the Union said it will challenge the decision in court.
A public notice signed by the permanent secretaries of the ministries of education and local government said that they had received from the 11 education districts a list of teachers who have not reported for duty at their assigned schools and who have not received the necessary leave approval and/or permission during the school week ending February 9th 2024.
“This unauthorized absence constitutes a breach of their conditions of service and their statutory duties and attracts legal sanctions,” the notice said.