GTU President and 2nd VP Challenge Suspension, Seek Removal of General Secretary Coretta Mc Donald
Tensions are flaming between senior members within the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), with President Dr. Mark Lyte and Second Vice President (VP) Julian Cambridge taking legal action to overturn their suspension and remove General Secretary Coretta Mc Donald.
Earlier this week, the duo filed a Fixed Date Application (FDA) at the Demerara High Court, arguing that their suspension was unlawful and highlighting concerns about political bias introduced by Mc Donald’s dual role as an elected Member of Parliament (MP) for the A Partnership for National Unity – Alliance for Change (APNU-AFC) coalition.
According to Lyte and Cambridge, their suspension followed allegations that they unilaterally negotiated an end to last year’s industrial action between the GTU and the government.
However, they asserted that their actions were guided by decisions made by the union’s General Council. The pair claimed that their suspension, enacted without prior notice or an opportunity to respond, violated due process.
Further, they alleged the council meeting that approved the motion was improperly constituted, as Mc Donald’s role as General Secretary contradicts Rule 3 of the GTU Constitution, which bars MPs from holding union offices except for the Immediate Past President.
The applicants, Lyte and Cambridge, also accused Mc Donald of introducing political bias into union affairs.
They contended that her position as a sitting parliamentarian adversely impacts engagements with the government, where union decisions are perceived as politically motivated rather than aligned with members’ interests.
This bias, they argued, has undermined the union’s ability to effectively negotiate on behalf of teachers in the public sector and eroded trust in its leadership.
As such, they are asking the court for: “An order declaring the position of General Secretary vacant, as Coretta Mc Donald was not entitled to be elected to that or any other position within the Guyana Teachers’ Union due to her holding office as an elected member of the National Assembly.”
Adding to their grievances, Lyte and Cambridge alleged that their GTU offices were padlocked following their suspension and that letters signed by Mc Donald were sent to government ministries and other organisations announcing the decision.
Despite over a month passing since their suspension, they noted that no investigation has been conducted into the allegations against them, leaving them unable to perform their duties ahead of critical union elections scheduled for April 2025.
Furthermore, Lyte and Cambridge have called for the court to expedite the matter, emphasising the need to resolve the situation before the triennial conference and elections.
They are represented by attorney Kamal Ramkarran, with Mc Donald and other GTU officials, including Mariska Williams, Joseph Decunah, Elecia Barker, and Meon Crawford, named as respondents in the case.
