TEACHERS PLAN TO STRIKE JUNE 19

UNCLAS CONAKRY 000284 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ELAB PGOV PREL ASEC GV SUBJECT: TEACHERS PLAN TO STRIKE JUNE 19 REF: CONAKRY 0274 ¶1. (SBU) On June 10, following a series of meetings between union leaders and the Guinean Government, Guinea's two teachers' unions (FSPE and SLECG) formally notified the GoG of their intent to resume a nationwide labor strike effective Thursday, June 19. The unionists' demands are primarily economic and include increases in salaries and various allowances (reftel). ¶2. (SBU) Union leaders claim that the GoG previously agreed to meet all of their demands during earlier labor strikes, but has failed to deliver on their promises. Comments from the Minister of Education were broadcast on national radio on June 9. The minister said that the GoG essentially agrees with all the unions' demands, but will not have the necessary funds to meet those demands until later this year. ¶3. (U) National exams are currently scheduled to take place the week of June 23, a few days after the labor strike is scheduled to resume. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Union leaders have indicated that they will not back down from the strike unless the GoG actually pays them some of what they are due. The GoG is scrambling for money to pay off the military later this month, and is going to be hard pressed to find money for the teachers too. Striking just before national exams begin is likely to provoke both students and parents, who may take to the streets in protest, as they did in 2006. The unions may still back down from the strike, but they appear to be moving forward for the time being. END COMMENT. CARTER