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A serious and important election

Feb 18, 2014 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
The Guyana Teachers Union (G.T.U)’s biennial elections are only weeks away and it is important to note that since its existence, it has certainly contributed significantly to the landscape of unionism in Guyana. The union has made varying levels of contributions since its embryonic stage for its membership. These contributions were significantly influenced by the different characters in leadership from then to present day.
With the notice in the Sunday Kaieteur News of 9th February 2014, once again the challenge to make those contributions is only weeks away. All teachers across this nation who are members of the union are presented with the opportunity to change what they believe was not forthcoming from the present G.T.U central executive members who are contesting this upcoming election.
This election, I believe, should be given the highest degree of seriousness and importance it deserves. We as teachers, all of us, have to be prudent and conscious of how and who we vote for, to represent our interests. We owe it to ourselves to meticulously evaluate the performances of those present actors of the G.T.U hierarchy who are once again electoral candidates and ask the questions, are we teachers satisfied with the work those officials have done on our behalf? Are you pleased with the level of representation given, deals made and agreements inked on our behalf?
It is no secret that the G.T.U membership has countless head teachers who were (retired) and are eligible for duty free concessions and are still waiting eternally for those to be given. Is this the representation we want from our elected officials? Are you teachers comfortable with your present salary increase agreement? An agreement that cannot satisfy or compensate the constant rise in cost of living. We have graduate, trained teachers who take home less than $500 US dollars a month for their hard work. What a shame!
Many teachers will agree that the representation that the membership needs is non-existent. Many will agree that the level of communication and work that is, and was expected and required of the union by its leadership is lacking.
Those officers at the G.T.U are now being awakened, coming out from their slumber, visiting schools that they never visited before now, making empty promises and giving speeches of sweet nothings, all in the hope to garner support and votes from our teachers. But we are not fools, we will not be hoodwinked and bamboozled by those actors. We are very much aware, that those officers have failed to be effective in executing their mandates effectively, but are still desirous of retaining their post, but we will not let that happen.
Teachers, giving support to those individuals would be a mockery to this institution and an insult to our intelligence.
The Guyana Teachers Union elections will soon be the reality for its members, most of whom I can confidently say are fed up with how the business of the union is being run and long for a change. A change where their monthly dues that they pay so diligently for years will finally garner the type of representation that they long for, with new approaches to leadership.  Leadership that will rebuild the lost confidence, and provide the assurance and optimism that the union, that they are a part of, is working for the best interest of all its members.
Chairman
Upper Demerara Branch (GTU)
Jermaine Figueira

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