ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada,September, 27th , 2011 -- Richard Simon, the Press Secretary to Prime Minister, Hon. Tillman Thomas, pointed to a series of communications between the GUT and the government between January 21, 2011 and September 12th 2011, to support the government’s position.

“We acknowledge that there is some delay in concluding on a date for the commencement of negotiations with the GUT but there is clearly a line of communications that have already taken place to ensure we achieve that objective,” the Press Secretary said Tuesday.

Government records indicate that government secretariat received a proposal from the union on January 25, 2011, which was passed to the Chairperson of the Government Negotiating Team on February 08. A letter was subsequently written to the Union on April 12th. This was followed by a letter of May 18, from the union to the Chairperson of the committee, suggesting that a date be forwarded to the union as soon as possible so that the negotiating process can begin.

On June 02, the Permanent Secretary in the Department of Public Administration (DPA) Merlyn St. Bernard, responded, acknowledging receipt of the letter and advising that the date was not yet determined.

The Union was also communicated with on September 9th, 2011, when the Chairperson of the negotiating team, again advised that the date was not yet available.

It was in communication on September 12th to the government, which was missent to the Ministry of Education, that the union cited “disrespect over the inability to agree on a date for negotiations” and warning that it will “take action” if there was no response from the government by September 23rd, 2011.

“This administration has the utmost respect for trade unions and for the leadership of the labor movement in Grenada. We have always advocated and continue to promote a respectful, responsible, collective, consultative approach to bringing workable solutions to issues that confront our country,” The Press Secretary said Tuesday.

He reiterated that while there was some delay in agreeing on a date for the start of the negotiations, there was never any attempt to disrespect the GUT or the teachers it represents.  

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