The 9-day strike by the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) — for the Government to implement the recommendation of its own task force to award a 40 percent salary increase in a multi-year agreement — has now gone to arbitration. This represents a victory for the GTU, since the PNC-led Government had insisted that its “ballpark” offer of G$700 million as a one-off payout was final. But the victory is not complete, since much depends on the specific arbitrators who would be chosen jointly by the two sides. The GTU will…
Read MoreYear: 2018
Establishing our own law school
In January 2017, the Government of Guyana, through its Attorney General, Basil Williams, made an important announcement, much to the delight of many Guyanese; especially law students, that Guyana will establish its own law school by 2018. The law school was to be named the JOF Haynes Law School. For many years our law students have been faced with very difficult times due to the many hurdles they had to cross in gaining admission to the Hugh Wooding Law School (HWLS). Many had reached frustration point and even had to…
Read MoreThe PM’s statement is an insult to Guyanese
Dear Editor, Responding to the suggestion by Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, that Guyana should ask for an international agency to take over the running of the local government elections, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo said an “international agency running local elections would be an insult to Guyana”. Really, Mr Nagamootoo? While I certainly do not support Mr Jagdeo’s idea, the Prime Minister’s statement is the real insult – an insult to the intelligence of the people of this country. Where was Mr Nagamootoo when, in 2015, at the last…
Read MoreJagdeo says Govt can find the money to save Guyana’s sugar industry
As the downsizing of the sugar industry continues to take effect in several communities, particularly those in rural areas across the country, people in civil society and those who hold high offices in politics in Guyana continue to criticise Government for the move. Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, is one such individual, who feels Government made a rash decision to downsize, without considering how their action would have affected thousands of households that depended on the industry for a daily income. Jagdeo told a recent conference that focused on how the…
Read MoreGuyana teachers’ pay dispute to go to arbitration
Coming out at what is expected to be the final conciliation meeting between the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) and the Education Ministry regarding the salary increases being demanded for teacher’s across Guyana, Chief Labour Officer (CLO) Charles Ogle has revealed the parties are set to go to arbitration. The meeting held with the Union head, Mark Lyte and other members and representative of MoE, Chief Education Officer, Marcel Hutson, at the Social Cohesion’s Ministry, Department of Labour on Thursday afternoon, saw yet again failed talks. Ogle said the Ministry of…
Read MoreFine-tuning at CJIA
The Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) conducted trial runs of the new Arrival Terminal and Boarding Bridges recently to ensure that all systems regarding passenger treatment and loading conditions at the airport are satisfactory. The first test was conducted with approximately 286 passengers who arrived on a Fly Jamaica aircraft and were processed within two hours. The Arrival Terminal is expected to officially begin operation on September 15. (CJIA photo)
Read More3-K For All expanding to four boroughs
NEW YORK—Mayor Bill de Blasio, Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza, and Deputy Mayor Thompson earlier this week joined students, families, and educators from across the City for the first day of the 2018-19 school year. According to a release from the Mayor’s Office, Mayor de Blassio, the Chancellor, and Deputy Mayor Thompson visited the first-ever day of 3-K for All in Queens, at PS 377 in Ozone Park. This school year, free, full-day, high-quality 3-K is expanding to serve 5,000 students at 187 sites in six districts across four boroughs…
Read MoreFormer Army Captain accused of murdering lover for High Court trial
Orwain Sandy, the former Guyana Defence Force Captain who reportedly shot dead his girlfriend Reona Payne on March 31, 2018 at First Street Alexander Village, was on Tuesday committed to stand trial for the heinous crime in the High Court before a judge and jury. The decision was handed down by Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman on Tuesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts following a preliminary inquiry. Sandy quietly exited the courtroom after the decision was handed down. Sandy’s attorney, James Bond, had in May told the court that the defence…
Read More‘Toy gun’ bandits escape after victim opens fire
Three men, who were armed with a suspected ‘toy gun’ attempted to rob a mechanic in the wee hours of Sunday morning but got the scare of their lives after the victim whipped out his licensed firearm and discharged three rounds in their direction. Based on reports received, at about 02:00h, the 50-year-old mechanic of Belle Vue, West Bank Demerara, dropped his wife off at Vlissingen Road and remained parked on the road in his Suzuki Escudo with the windows up as she entered the yard. Whilst there, he noticed…
Read MoreGuyanese students benefit from Linden Fund USA’s ‘back to school’ initiative
Several students attached to the Linden Foundation Secondary School have benefited from a ‘back to school’ initiative organised by the non-profit organisation Linden Fund USA, in collaboration with Maureen Davidson. Twenty-five students received free backpacks and school supplies when the new school year commenced on Monday. Speaking at the distribution drive, which was held at the Linden Foundation Secondary School, Office Manager of the Linden Fund USA’s local affiliate, LFU Guyana Inc, Cheryl Waite, said the items are to assist students in the preparation for effective and efficient functioning in…
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