St Vincent and the Grenadines (iWitness News) – As the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers’ Union calls on its members to strike today (Tuesday) and Wednesday to show opposition to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves is accusing the union of using students as a “battering ram” against the government.
On Sunday, the union called on its members, vaccinated and unvaccinated, to attend physical and online classes on Monday and to stay away from the all face-to-face and online classes on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The union further advised teachers to continue with all normal work on Thursday and to picket at the Vegetable Market in Kingstown and Union Island, and the administrative building in Canouan and Bequia on Friday from 9:30 a.m.
“All COVID-19 protocols will be strictly enforced at the picket line,” the union said.
“The SVGTU strongly advises all of its unvaccinated members to continue to report to work and to keep photographic records as evidence of your presence. If you are issued any formal communication concerning your employment status, submit a copy to the office of the SVGTU immediately.
“The SVGTU is kindly calling on all parents to keep their children at home on Tuesday 7th and Wednesday 8th and to join in solidarity with the SVGTU on the picket line on Friday 10th December, 2021. We will further advise all of our members as we intensify our plan of actions.,” the union said.
The call to industrial action comes as the government’s COVID-19 mandate, came into effect on Nov. 19.
