-calls on Guyana gov’t to comply with court order
The Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT) has launched a regional and international campaign in support of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), calling on the government to reinstate the deduction and remittance of union dues.
In a statement dated August 6, the regional body accused the government of continuing to disregard a High Court order requiring the restoration of the longstanding check-off system.
The GTU yesterday welcomed the initiative and called it a strong demonstration of solidarity from its regional counterpart.
“An attack on the rights and autonomy of teachers and their union is an issue that concerns educators and trade unions throughout the Caribbean,” the GTU said.
The CUT called on its member organisations, trade union affiliates, civil society groups and international labour allies to publicise the dispute and issue statements supporting the union.
It described the government’s cessation of the check-off arrangement as a unilateral action which weakened the GTU’s financial stability, independence and ability to operate.
“We urgently call on the Government of Guyana to act responsibly, honour the rule of law, respect the decisions of its own judiciary, and immediately reinstate the check-off dues process,” the CUT said.
The dispute arose during the teachers’ strike in February 2024, when the Ministry of Education announced that it would stop deducting membership dues from teachers’ salaries and remitting them to the union.
As Stabroek News reported, Justice Sandil Kissoon ruled in April 2024 that the teachers’ strike was legal and justified. He also found that the decision to discontinue the deduction and remittance of dues violated Article 147(1) of the Constitution, which protects freedom of association.
In his written judgment, released the following month, Kissoon described the government’s decision as arbitrary, unlawful and tainted by bad faith. He also found that the GTU had not been afforded an opportunity to be heard before the check-off arrangement was discontinued.
The government appealed the entire ruling and applied for a stay of the section requiring it to continue deducting and remitting the dues.
Stabroek News reported in January 2025 that the Court of Appeal rejected the State’s application for a stay. Justice of Appeal Dawn Gregory found that the balance of justice favoured the GTU and that suspending the order would cause the union undue prejudice.
The substantive appeal remained pending, while the High Court order continued to have effect.
Attorney General Anil Nandlall subsequently denied that the government was defying the court. According to a January 2025 Stabroek News report, he said the Ministry of Education had asked the union to provide a verified membership list so that deductions would be made only from the salaries of GTU members.
Nandlall argued that the government could face legal action if dues were deducted from teachers who were not members of the union. The GTU’s position was that the government already possessed the information necessary to resume the deductions.
The CUT said the continued dispute threatened workers’ rights and set a dangerous precedent for industrial relations across the Caribbean.
“Respect for workers’ rights and the judiciary is non-negotiable in any democratic society,” it said.
The regional body, led by President Sharon Kelsick, said it would continue defending the rights, dignity and autonomy of teachers and their unions throughout the Caribbean.
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