by Samuel Gillis
Judge Sandil Kissoon issued an interim order on Thursday, temporarily halting the government’s decision to reduce the salaries of teachers on strike and cease the deduction of union dues.
This development comes in response to an application filed by the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) seeking to prevent the Ministry of Education from implementing these measures.
The GTU’s legal action sought to block the Ministry from deducting pay from teachers’ salaries for the days they were on strike and to prevent the discontinuation of union dues deductions.
Attorney General Anil Nandlall, representing the government, argued against the interim order, asserting that if employees choose to strike, employers have the right to withhold their pay.
He emphasized that this principle is consistent across the Caribbean.
Nandlall further contended that the government is not legally obligated to deduct union dues and remit them to the teachers’ union.
He underscored the government’s discretionary power to determine policies in the absence of specific legal mandates.
The case is scheduled for further hearings on March 20, providing both parties an opportunity to present their arguments before the court.