SVGTU to host Teachers’ Solidarity Week to mark 1975 teachers’ strike

This coming week, the St Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers Union (SVGTU) will host Teachers’ Solidarity Week to commemorate 42 years since the 1975 teachers’ strike.

The theme for the week of activities is ‘Defending workers rights: An imperative for democratic and progressive society’ and will begin this Sunday, November 12, with an ecumenical church service at the Hope For Life Restoration Ministries at Arnos Vale, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

A message from the president will be broadcast on Monday, November 13, throughout all schools and via the media.

Come Tuesday, November 14, the Union will host its annual CW Prescod Memorial Lecture at Frenches House from 6 p.m., where the featured speaker will be former senior education officer Asfo Stevens.

The annual general meeting will be held at the Thomas Saunders Secondary School from 4 p.m. on Wednesday, November 15, where the Union will propose a resolution for a $5 deduction from members’ salaries to go to a medical fund. One other resolution to be heard is in relation to teacher pensions. The Union will also update its members on various concerns that are being fought.

On Thursday, November 16, the Union will meet with graduate teachers and teachers who have not been appointed to graduate positions at the SVGTU’s headquarters, Mc Kie’s Hill.

On Friday, November 17, beginning at the Peace Memorial Hall at 2 p.m., is a march through Kingstown, which will end with a rally at the Bishop’s College hard court, which is the route that was taken during the 1975 strike and march.

The week of activities will come to an end on Saturday, November 18, with a Teachers’ Fun Day at Rawacou Beach from 10 a.m.

Also during Teachers’ Solidarity Week, the Union will honour those teachers, some of whom have passed, who were part of the 1975 teachers’ strike and march.

On November 14, 1975, protesting teachers were tear gassed by authorities. Some of these teachers were arrested, some transferred to work in difficult locations of the country and others fired.

Members of the SVGTU are kindly asked to attend the activities, especially the annual general meeting, to enable a sufficient quorum to vote on resolutions.(CB)