Teachers strike called off; dispute goes to arbitration

The almost two-weeks long countrywide strike by teachers will be called off after the Education Ministry and the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) reached an agreement on wage negotiations, Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle told media operatives Thursday.

The two parties have decided to head into arbitration where an independent panel will determine what would be the best outcome to the deadlock on salary increases and other benefits for teachers. The decision made by the arbitrators will be final and binding.

The GTU had previously stated that it will call off the strike if the Education Ministry agrees to arbitration.

The GTU and the Education Ministry met Thursday afternoon for conciliation talks facilitated by the Ministry of Social Protection’s Department of Labour.

Ogle said the Education Ministry has agreed to head into arbitration and the two parties are currently working out the terms of resumption for that process.

News Room will provide more details as it becomes available.