A recent post by a Government Public Relations Officer in the Yumi Toktok Stret (YTS) Facebook group has reignited public concern over the long-delayed Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the Government and the Vanuatu Teachers Union (VTU). The discussion, which had been put on hold due to an active court case, resurfaced following a court ruling in favour of the union. With the legal matter now resolved, many believe the time has come to restart the formal CBA negotiations. What began as a question about the draft CBA has since escalated into a passionate—and at times heated—debate involving representatives of unions, educators, and members of the public.

For many in the public, this renewed conversation is long overdue. Taxpayers and online citizens—particularly those active on YTS—have been demanding transparency about the contents of the CBA for a long time now. Despite repeated calls, no full version of the draft agreement has been made publicly available. Concerns around teacher entitlements, remote allowances, and budget impacts have been raised repeatedly. The lack of access and official clarity has fueled speculation, confusion, and growing frustration. Now that the legal roadblock has been cleared, the public is once again asking: What exactly is in the CBA, and why has it taken so long to move forward?

The Vanuatu government Public Relation Officer (PRO) questioned the fairness and feasibility of the current draft, describing parts of it as “highly outrageous” and implying that this could be the reason behind the government’s reluctance to sign. His post drew swift reactions from teachers who are members of the VTU, and others who insisted that the government should return to the negotiation table and respect the bargaining process.

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Minister of Education Responds to Strike Concerns

Amid rising tensions, the Minister of Education, Hon. Simil Johnson, addressed the nation via a recent news broadcast. He acknowledged the unresolved CBA, explaining that the government has not yet signed the agreement because verification of teacher claims and payments is still ongoing. He emphasized that the government remains committed to ensuring that all claims are thoroughly checked before payments are made.

In a stern warning, the Minister discouraged teachers from continuing strike action, stating that the Teaching Service Commission is monitoring all such activities closely. Any teacher found participating in strikes without a valid claim, he said, may face serious consequences related to their contract or appointment.

Despite the tension, the Minister reassured the public that there will be no delays in verified teacher payments, and any discrepancies or holdups will be investigated. Meanwhile, the VTU maintains that teachers will only return to classrooms once the CBA is signed.

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Why Bringing the Issue to Facebook Matters

Some critics questioned the appropriateness of raising such a sensitive issue on social media. But there’s a strong argument in favor of the Government PRO’s decision.

In the digital age, the people of Vanuatu deserve more than quiet deals behind closed doors. Raising the CBA issue in Yumi Toktok Stret (YTS)—Vanuatu’s largest and most active public discussion group, with over 150,000 members—invited the public into a national conversation that directly affects taxpayers, parents, and teachers.

By using this platform, the government is:

• Promoting transparency
• Testing public sentiment
• Countering misinformation
• Encouraging civic engagement

This move aligns with Vanuatu’s push to modernize public services and make government more accessible and accountable. In fact, YTS has become a kind of digital parliament—a space where the public gets to scrutinize policy, challenge power, and influence outcomes.

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Union Representatives and Citizens Push Back

Representatives from education unions and national workers’ groups quickly responded. They stressed that the CBA process is not a one-sided demand, but a legally recognized negotiation requiring input and agreement from all parties. They called on the government to return to the table and clarify their official position rather than criticize the draft in public forums.

The message from the public has been consistent: if the draft is flawed, then fix it—but do so through proper negotiation channels. The court case is now behind us. What matters now is the government’s willingness to come to the table and resolve the dispute.

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The Public Demands Transparency

Across the comment threads, public frustration was loud and clear. Many questioned how the government could continue to delay CBA talks while claiming that Vanuatu is a “small economy”—especially in contrast to continued spending on parliamentary privileges.

Others demanded that the draft CBA be made public. “Postem draft ia. Yumi luk!” has become a familiar plea, highlighting growing concerns over secrecy in public sector agreements that involve taxpayer funds.

Some contributors also pointed to a deeper issue: a lack of proper data systems in the public service, which makes it difficult to verify long-term entitlements and payment records. Still, many argued this should not be used as an excuse to delay justice for teachers who have served faithfully for years.

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This Isn’t the First Time CBA Was Discussed on YTS

It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first time the CBA has appeared on YTS. Over the past months, users have shared explanations about what a Collective Bargaining Agreement is, how it works, and why it matters to the education sector. The topic has appeared regularly in posts and comments from union supporters, government critics, and even neutral observers.

This consistency shows that the issue is not new—it’s ongoing, and that platforms like YTS are serving as a public archive of civic dialogue. The public is engaged, watching, and waiting. And they’re no longer content to be left in the dark.

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Time to Sit Down

What this episode shows is clear: there is no substitute for proper negotiation. And the sooner all parties recognize that, the better for the students, teachers, and families affected by ongoing disruptions.

Government engagement on social media may not solve everything—but it brings conversations into the light. It empowers citizens, challenges institutions, and forces dialogue where silence once reigned.

The way forward now is not more Facebook debate—but a seat at the table.