Workers’ Union calls off industrial action, apologises to administration

Nov 28, 2009 News

After a one day sit-in, involving several staffers of the University of Guyana and the University of Guyana Workers’ Union (UGWU), the Union has issued a formal apology to the institution’s administration.
Vice Chairman of the UGWU Frederick Kissoon told this newspaper that the apology was offered on Thursday during a meeting between Union representatives and the University’s administration.
Kissoon admitted to Kaieteur News that the union was wrong for engaging in the industrial action. He explained that a five percent increase is in the University’s budget for the fiscal year but the Union’s understanding was that the Ministry was delaying its acceptance.
“There was indeed a misunderstanding on the part of the union because of a lack of communication with the administration. The Union took that (the suggestion of a delay) and interpreted it as meaning that the UG administration was not getting a hearing from the Finance Ministry to discuss the budget. We further took it that the Ministry of Finance was not agreeable to the five percent or didn’t want to pay it and it was on that basis we called a sit-in.”
Kissoon explained that some leadership of the union had felt that the 5% was rejected by the Ministry of Finance, because of the administration’s explanation that they were experiencing a hard time with respect to meeting the ministry officials.
Subsequently, the union learnt through a document which was showed to them by the administration, that they were wrong.
“In fact it was the inability of the administration to get the University to discuss the totality of the budget and not the five percent with the Ministry as the Union thought,” Kissoon revealed.
As such, the sit-in has been called off.
Also discussed at the meeting was the termination of a lecturer who has a Doctorate in International Relations.
Initially, when the meeting was called the administration only had one issue on the agenda, but the union insisted that the termination of the lecturer’s service be discussed.
Kissoon said the union intends to meet with the new Chancellor of the University, Dr. Compton Bourne, to discuss their grievous concerns which include the overall function of the university at all levels and the particular case of the termination of service of the lecturer.
In relation to the latter issue, the union has informed the administration that they will be moving to the court to seek an injunction restraining the University from terminating the services of the lecturer.
“We did not go ahead after the council asked for a re-examination of his termination. That re-examination has gone beyond two months and two months is too long,” Kissoon said.

Latest News

Workers’ Union calls off industrial action, apologises to administration

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 15th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Brewley’s ‘glut’ inspires Hard Knocks to ExxonMobil Futsal...

Final T20 between England and West Indies washed...

Zion Gray propels Eagles to GBF Elite 16...

Looknauth stars as Anacondas lift inaugural GCB...

Gold is Money wins inaugural Chung Global...

Afraz Budhoo – A promising cricketing star...

Features/Columnists

Traditional media is still king

Rising Gun Crimes in the Caribbean: Urgent Action required by all

The Bully Pulpit

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Workers’ Union calls off industrial action, apologises to administration

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 15th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]