Union calls for clarity on status of reinstated teachers

The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers Union (SVGTU) is calling on the government to state clearly what is the status of formerly dismissed teachers who were re-employed last year.

In August 2022, the government announced that teachers who were dismissed for refusing to comply with its COVID-19 vaccine mandate would be given the opportunity to re-apply for their jobs, under certain terms and conditions.

While speaking on the SVGTU Teachers Talk radio programme on Sunday, January 8, industrial relations and research officer, Andrew John was questioned on the “rumour” that dismissed teachers were “reinstated to their substantive posts with benefits intact”.

John said since the government announced their plans to rehire dismissed teachers, the situation has been evolving and many things still remain uncertain, adding that the government needs to put that status of rehired teachers in “black and white”.

“This whole situation with re-applying and re-appointing of people, we have seen it go through some changes… from when the situation started in August. Because the SVGTU would have highlighted those conditions and warned teachers about what could have happened…and a number of persons opted not to re-apply.”

John said if re-hired teachers have had their status re-instated with “all benefits including vacations, pension, gratuity”, then the same treatment should be applied to all who were dismissed as a result of the vaccine mandate.

“People are saying ‘we have been given back our substantive post with all our benefits intact’ what they are actually saying is that they have been re-instated and we are asking the government if that is the case and you are re-instating teachers, please do it for all our teachers. The government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines owe the workers their jobs. They should be re-instated fully. “If that is the case that is happening now…put it in writing and give the people back their jobs. I hope that the court would rule that that is the position that the government should take.”

President of the SVGTU, Oswald Robinson, echoed the sentiments of John saying that the government should act professionally and inform the re-hired workers of their status through the proper channels.

“Don’t just call people by word of mouth…you have to put it in writing and do it properly.”

Following two days of legal arguments in 2022, the case brought against the government by the SVGTU, saw Justice Esco Henry reserving her ruling until the New Year.

John told listeners that the court case has consumed much of the SVGTU Executive’s time and efforts and as a result the branches of the union, which form the General Council, have not been functioning adequately and this has also affected the wider union membership.

“When we talk about decision making, things come up that affect a large cross section of members… decisions cannot come from the executive, decisions must come from the wider membership, and the wider membership is formed from the branches.”
He said the focus of the union for 2023 is the “reactivation of the branches”. The nominations for Branch Elections are expected to run from January 11 to 18, and the voting period set for January 25 and 26.

John called on younger teachers to come forward and be active members of the union.

“It is time that our teachers realise that the Union has an integral part to play in the job. As long as you plan to remain in teaching then you must realize that the Union is your fellow.”