SVG Teachers’ Union begins series of actions for ‘dismissed’ teachers

By Admin. Updated 10:03 p.m., Wednesday, August 10, 2022, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

A photo collage showing persons on the picket line in November 2021 when the government implemented its Statutory Rules and Orders, No. 28 of 2021, known as the vaccine mandate. Photos: SVGTU Facebook page.

The Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers’ Union -SVGTU, today, commenced a series of actions “to stand in solidarity with our dismissed teachers across the country,” the Union said on Wednesday.

In letter to the media, the SVGTU said that the decision to take the actions was “unanimously” made in an emergency general meeting held on August 5, 2022.

The move comes as the August 15 reapplication deadline approaches for workers who lost their job by failing to take a Covid-19 vaccine last year.

The Union maintains that the workers were dismissed by the government, but the government is maintaining that the workers abandoned their jobs by failing to meet the November 2021 vaccination deadline.

The matter is currently before the courts.

In its letter to the media about the action in solidarity with the ‘dismissed teachers,’ the SVGTU says:

“This is to intensify action at this crucial time when the government is thinking about rehiring some teachers who were fired for not taking the vaccine.
The SVGTU is adamant that the Government must repeal the law, reinstate teachers with all of their benefits intact and reimburse for all damages as well.”

The SVGTU letter further stated that:

The SVGTU will engage in the following actions:

Wednesday, 10th August, 2022 – A Whistle Stop Tour from Calliaqua to Campden Park commencing at 9:00a.m.

Thursday, 11th August, 2022 – A picket in Kingstown in front of the Vegetable Market commencing at 9:30a.m. White t-shirts will be worn bearing slogans to support our cause.

Thursday, 18th August, 2022 – A peaceful March around Kingstown commencing at 9:30a.m. White t-shirts will be worn bearing slogans to support our cause.

Additionally, the SVGTU will also host a Day of Prayer, the date of which will be announced.
The SVGTU strongly appeals to the moral conscience of all parents and the general public to empathize with our teachers.

This will be in the best interest of our children and the entire education system of SVG. We urge everyone to join us on the picket lines.

“Stand in solidarity with our dismissed colleagues. Tomorrow it could be you,” the letter further stated.