Something is strange here!

Sep 15, 2018 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

Teachers should pay close attention to the ongoing talks between their union and the government in order to select an arbitration panel to decide on wage increases. Teachers should insist on being consulted, directly, and on having an input into the union’s position regarding the nominees for the arbitration panel.
New reports last evening indicated that no agreement was reached between the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) and the Ministry of Education over the appointment of a Chairperson for the arbitral panel. The impasse at one meeting should, however, not be the source of worry for teachers.
Teachers should be more concerned about the criteria which the union is using for its nominees. According to reports on social media, the GTU nominated three persons two of whom had served as Ministers under previous PNC administrations while another had worked in a senior position within the State Planning Secretariat alongside former President Desmond Hoyte.
The nominees of the union are all over 60 years, have all at one time of the other worked for PNC governments and are all of the same ethnic group.
The Ministry of Education is reported to have proposed two persons, one of whom is a sitting Permanent Secretary and the other is attached to the Guyana Revenue Authority. The union wisely rejected these names on the grounds that it does not prefer to have persons who are presently employed. No ‘fit and proper’ East Indian has yet been nominated. But perhaps that will be forthcoming in the second round.
It was also reported that agreement has been reached on additional terms of reference for the arbitration. One would have presumed that the logical course of action would have been for both parties to have finalized the full terms of reference before moving onwards to the selection of the panel.
After all, how would both sides know that they have found a suitable panel unless they know what exactly are the terms of reference of the panel? On the assumption that both sides would have contacted their nominees to ask whether they would consent to being on the panel, how did either side approach these nominees when discussions are still taking place on the terms of reference?
Teachers have to pay close attention to what is taking place here. They should demand that the union publicly declare the terms of reference which have so far been agreed upon, the sums which are to be paid to those on the proposed arbitration panel and the time frame which has been agreed upon.
Teachers already have reasons to worry. The union has unwisely admitted that it was prepared to accept a 20% offer, a confession which will prejudice its case in the arbitration.
Teachers should also be concerned about the actions of the government. Why would a government which is fond of establishing criteria about impartiality and independence have nominated persons who are presently in the employ of the government? The government could not have reasonably expect that the union would have agreed to persons who are presently employed by the government.
Teachers therefore should impress on their union to first decide on the criteria which the members of the arbitration panel should satisfy, before selecting names. What criteria is the union demanding?
What constitutes a ‘fit and proper’ person for the arbitration? Should the person be a judge, have judgelike qualities or be qualified to be a judge? What would the union consider as an impartial nominee?
What happens if there is no agreement on the members of the arbitration panel? Is there an agreed-upon mechanism to break the deadlock? Has the Carter formula been considered in which the union will be asked to submit six names not unacceptable to the Ministry of Education for one to be selected as Chairman. Or will the two sides continue to make nominations indefinitely until an agreed person is found.
These are some of the questions which teachers should demand of their union. There is something very mysterious going on both sides of the negotiating table. Some strange things are happening! Teachers had better take note!

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