by Krystal Paco

Guam - After three years of efforts to return to the negotiating table, the Guam Federation of Teachers files an unfair labor practice charge against the Department of Education.

According to the GFT website the Guam Education Board "refuses to make a collaborative effort with GFT in negotiating a collective bargaining agreement that will protect the working conditions of our teachers and the learning conditions of our children."

The GFT alleges that the GEB continues to pose unnecessary conditions that violate employees' rights set in the Public Employee Management Relations Act and while the GEB awaits a proof of exclusive recognition from the Department of Administration, GFT notes that the board continues to negate that the union has negotiated collective bargaining with doe for over 48 years.

In a release from DOE, superintendent Jon Fernandez expresses his commitment to providing DOA with his full cooperation as they address the complaint.