By Jayda Jeune – HGP Nightly News
The Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) has officially withdrawn its high-profile contempt case against the government, marking the end of more than a year of intense legal wrangling over the deduction of union dues from teachers’ salaries.
The case, which had drawn national attention, centered on the union’s claim that the government acted unlawfully by halting deductions of dues at source — a decision that directly affected the union’s financial base and sparked strong opposition from educators across the country.
GTU President, in addressing members, emphasized that the withdrawal should not be seen as a retreat or weakness, but rather as a strategic move to reposition the union’s fight for teachers’ rights. He assured members that the GTU remains committed to defending educators’ welfare and will continue to pursue alternative legal and industrial strategies where necessary.
The development has, however, left many teachers questioning the union’s next steps and demanding clarity on how their contributions and concerns will be safeguarded going forward.
Observers note that the decision could reshape the union’s approach in future negotiations with the state, especially in the lead-up to renewed discussions on wages, conditions of service, and broader education sector reforms.
