Guyana & union reach agreement over salary increases for teachers

Guyana & union reach agreement over salary increases for teachers

GUYANA – The Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) Wednesday said it had reached an agreement with the Ministry of Education for a three-year salary increase that also includes several non-salary benefits for teachers.

GTU President Mark Lyte and the second Vice President, Julian Cambridge, signed the agreement with the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Shannielle Hoosein- Outar and Chief Education Officer Saddam Hussain. “Congratulations to the Guyana Teachers Union and the Government of Guyana represented by the Ministry of Education, for sensibly and civilly reaching an agreement that covers the period 2024 to 2026 about benefits for teachers,” said Education Minister, Priya Manickchand.

Lyte, said the increases are 10 per cent this year, eight per cent in 2025 and nine per cent the following year. “The percentages are the same that the General Council accepted,” he said, adding that the GTU could not have reneged on the previously accepted pay hikes and return to the employer to reopen talks on further increases. “The fact that the General Council accepted the percentages, the negotiating team couldn’t refuse it so that’s the basis of it,” he said. (Loopnews.caribbean.com)…[+]