Deadlock between GAWU and GUYSUCO

Aug 27, 2008 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
Minister of Labour, Manzoor Nadir has asked the Chief Labour Occupational and Safety Officer to inform both the GAWU and GUYSUCO that he has declared the continuance of the dispute is likely to be gravely injurious to the national interest and as such under the Labour Act compulsory arbitration will be imposed.

In March 2008, GAWU filed a claim with GUYSUCO for a 15% increase in wages and salaries for its members within the Corporation. The parties there upon met at bilateral to discuss the demand.

They met on seven occasions, but could not reach agreement; at their last meeting the company offered 4.5% and the union’s demand was for 14.75%.

Workers at Rose Hall went on strike for 1 day on the 13th August, 2008 while workers at Enmore, LBI and Wales stuck for four days from 13-16 August, 2008.

As a result of the strike, the Ministry of Labour intervened and the parties agreed to conciliation. The Chief Labour Occupational Safety Officer met with the parties on three occasions.

Deadlock was declared on August 25, 2008, after both parties held firm to their positions.Today, August 26, 2008, the entire industry was shut down as workers on all the estates took strike action.

During the course of the conciliation the Corporation moved from 4.5% to 5% then to 5.25% while the union moved from 14.75% to 14.25%.

As a consequence of the severe negative impact and costs that the strikes would have on the economy and being satisfied that the continuance of the difference is likely to be gravely injurious to the national interest, the Minister has caused the Chief Labour Occupational Safety Officer to write both the union and the corporation that he will be referring the dispute to compulsory arbitration by the virtue of the powers vested in him under by Section 4 (1) (C) of the Labour Act, Cap98:01.

The Minister has reminded the Union that there were breaches of the Collective Labour Agreement during the course of bilateral meetings and also during conciliation workers of various estates went on strike in clear violation of the Collective Labour Agreement.

This present strike, the Minister noted, is no different except what this strike has caused a shutdown of the industry’s production and can severely damage the industry forever.

The Minister notes that the strike weapon is most often abused in this sector and urges the leader of GAWU in the field to be responsible and respect the grievance procedure in the CLA.

The Minister noted that out of the total annual strike in the country, over 95% of them are in the sugar industry.

Minister reminds workers that in 2007 he had to commission an inquiry into the February/March strikes at LBI that rippled across the country.

As a result of the imposition of arbitration, consequently the Minister has asked that the strike be called off since legal action is being taken to resolve the differences.
Office of the Minister of Labour

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Deadlock between GAWU and GUYSUCO

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