Seek court’s interpretation of ‘appointment’ versus ‘nomination’

Dear Editor, I note the letter, captioned ‘Appointment versus nomination’ by E.B. John in the Saturday, September 29 edition of Stabroek News, where he castigates a Minister of the Government for what he, E.B. John, considers “the palpable inability to distinguish between ‘appointment’ and ‘nomination’.”

Trade unionist Lincoln Lewis seems to hold a similar/parallel view in respect of the matter.

Now, I have the highest regard for the abilities of both these gentlemen in their professional fields of endeavour, and I would not wish to break a lance with either of them publicly on this matter.

However, I have read and re-read (in some newspaper) a direct quote of the wording in the relevant part of the agreement between the Ministry of Education and the Guyana Teachers’ Union, and I am not yet fully persuaded - having regard to the total context as I understand it - that the Minister is wrong.

Could I, with respect, suggest that someone should approach the Court to get a judicial interpretation/ruling? That would help to save many of us and our relatives and friends and siblings at various levels of the public education system - some relief, as the two sides move forward to the next stage, based on the pronouncement of the Court.

In the meantime, I absolutely support E.B. John’s suggestion that the gentleman who has been “appointed” should tell both sides: “Thanks, but No Thanks.”

The game just isn’t worth the candle.

Yours faithfully, George N. Cave