GuySuCo threatens sanctions as workers’ strike at Wales, Albion

Jan 28, 2010 News

GuySuCo’s Head of Industrial Relations, Francis Carryl

GAWU’s General Secretary, Seepaul Narine

By Leonard Gildarie

The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has threatened sanctions against striking workers who downed tools yesterday at two estates across the country.
According to the corporation, 24 mechanical tillage workers at the Wales location staged a picketing exercise protesting an offer by GuySuCo for the Annual Production Incentive (API) which is currently under negotiations. The picketing eventually turned into strike action.
At Albion, 163 workers also took industrial action citing the deplorable condition of the access road there and the API offer.
However, GuySuCo, in a strongly worded letter to Seepaul Narine, General Secretary of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), expressed its serious dissatisfaction “over the indiscipline and counterproductive behavior of some members of your union’s bargaining unit.”
API talks had stalled last week and a meeting earlier this week with the negotiating teams from the union and the Corporation had seen workers being told of GuySuCo’s current offer. One of the offers made by GuySuCo was a four days’ pay.
The letter, which was leaked, was written by Head of the corporation’s Industrial Relations, Francis Carryl. It stated that GuySuCo was unaware that the workers or the union had given the estates the requisite notice prior to proceedings on strike, as provided for in the relevant Collective Labour Agreement (CLA).
“Therefore, we have concluded that the strike action was taken in contravention of the said CLA and in violation of prudent industrial relations principles and practices. Our displeasure with this indiscipline and aggressive behavior by your members who seem intent on creating disharmony and discord within the workplace cannot and will not be condoned,” GuySuCo warned.
The corporation pointed out that by proceeding on strike, in violation of the extant CLA, the workers have left themselves open to serious disciplinary action.
“Indeed, the Corporation reserves the right to impose appropriate sanctions on the indisciplined workers and or your union, and may very well do so. You will recall that by letter dated January 14, 2010 we registered our disgust with the reprehensible behavior of some of your members who appear to be determined to inflict injury to the Corporation and the nation.”
On that occasion, GuySuCo said that it did advise, “Should any form of strike action continue we may not be in a position to make any award. Let alone the four days’ pay which was offered at that time.”
The fact that workers have continued to strike, much to the detriment of their own well-being and that of the nation, can best be described as reckless and daring, the letter said.
“Of great significance is the fact that workers continue to indulge in strike action that has nothing to do with management or their terms and conditions of employment. How do you explain workers striking over the state of the Albion access road over which the estate has no control?”
GuySuCo stressed that it needed not to remind GAWU that the future of the industry is at the ‘cross roads’ and it will no longer condone any act, which is inimical to the collective interest.
“In these circumstances we hereby call on you to cause the strike at Wales and Albion to be terminated forthwith and at the same time ensure that no further such action is initiated.”
The letter was copied to the Chief Labour Officer of the Ministry of Labour.
Yesterday, when contacted, Narine said he had just received the letter and would be making a statement today. He refuted that there were strike action at Wales and rather described it as a protest.
Last year, GuySuCo struggled as it battled strike actions and low production.
A pay increase for workers was sent to arbitration and a three per cent was awarded by a tribunal.
The Corporation, in the midst of a crippling price cut from Europe, its biggest customer, was forced to borrow from a banking consortium, and reschedule some of its debts to meet the $300M plus increase for workers.
With a crop looming shortly, officials last year said that it could ill-afford strike action this year as the Corporation attempt to implement a turnaround plan to rescue an industry facing severe challenges.