TEACHERS' UNIONS MAY CALL OFF LABOR STRIKE

UNCLAS CONAKRY 000300 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ELAB PGOV PREL ASEC GV SUBJECT: TEACHERS' UNIONS MAY CALL OFF LABOR STRIKE REF: A. CONAKRY 0284 ¶B. CONAKRY 0298 ¶1. (SBU) According to a senior USTG (Union for the Guinean Workers) official, the teachers' unions are considering canceling the nationwide labor strike planned to begin on June 19 (reftel A). Contact told Pol LES on June 16 that the unions would continue negotiations with the GoG the morning of June 17 and then reconvene at union headquarters in the afternoon to make a decision on the strike. According to contact, the GoG has agreed to increase teachers' salaries, which will be paid out at the end of June. In addition, the GoG has reportedly agreed to pay five months worth of salary arrears in September and October. Contact said that today's meeting would be more administrative in nature, to hammer out the details. ¶2. (SBU) It appears that the unions are proceeding with the meeting with the GoG as planned, despite the unrest caused by the conflict between the police and the military. As of 14:00, contacts were unavailable for comment since they were still in a meeting. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶3. (SBU) If the teachers do call off the strike, it could significantly lessen the political and social tensions in the capital. However, the GoG continues to make financial promises that it may have a very difficult time keeping when it comes time to pay up. END COMMENT. CARTER