ONE YEAR LATER: THE LABOUR DISPUTE AT RUSAL BERBICE OPERATIONS

Nov 21, 2010 APNU Column, Features / Columnists

---

Monday will mark one year since the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc. (BGCI), (RUSAL), in retaliation to strike action by the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU), issued suspension and dismissal letters to most of the workers, fifty-seven of whom were union activists.
On December 1, 2009, the company notified the Ministry of Labour that it had arbitrarily terminated the Collective Labour Agreement (CLA) and commenced the process of de-recognising the legitimate union.
Disgraceful Episode
Since then, much has transpired, including the debating of a motion in the National Assembly on this issue and continued actions by the Ministry of Labour and the Trade Union Recognition Board to remove the legitimate representative of the workers, the GB&GWU, from being the recognised Union at that enterprise.
Meanwhile, those unfortunate workers remain off the job with no visible efforts by the Ministry of Labour or the Minister to have the dispute resolved. Surely, this must be one of the most disgraceful episodes in Guyana’s industrial relations history and is an indictment on the PPP Administration, which in 1992, rode into power on the banner of “Restoration of Democracy.”
Dangerous Precedent
In his letter, dated January, 13 2010, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Robert Corbin, M.P., urged the Minister of Labour, Mr. Manzoor Nadir, M.P., to ensure that the company honours the C.L.A and the Laws of Guyana. He expressed his deep concern, and that of the People’s National Congress Reform, over this prolonged dispute and called upon him to intervene, as he is legally empowered to do, in the interest of the affected Guyanese workers.
At that time, the Minister was advised that the Company was engaged in Union busting tactics of compelling workers to sign withdrawal of membership forms from their Union as a precondition for retention of their employment and also forced to sign a company prepared petition, requesting the de-legitimization of the Union.
It was also emphasised that this unwholesome episode had grave implications for industrial relations in Guyana and could set unacceptable precedents. The recent action by the Barama Company, in dismissing hundreds of workers on a flimsy excuse, was, therefore, not surprising, albeit, the reaction of the Government in this matter reflected double standards and unequal treatment of workers under the law in violation of the Constitution of Guyana.
Political issue
After one-year of inaction by the PPP/C Administration, the People’s National Congress Reform is convinced that this is no longer a mere industrial dispute. Rather, it has become a political matter affecting the good governance of Guyana. It is obvious that the expressions of concern and views expressed by the majority of stakeholders, including, the Parliament of Guyana, are of no concern to the Jagdeo Regime.
The PNCR, however, will not stand idly by while the unlawfully and vindictively dismissed workers remain off the job and the dispute remains unresolved.
The Party stands resolutely with the Bauxite Union and its members to find a solution to this impasse and will take all legitimate action in support of their cause.
Over the past year, the PNCR had, by several Press Releases and by a Motion in Parliament, highlighted the issue facing bauxite workers and their employers, RUSAL.
PPP’s ASSAULT ON WORKERS RIGHTS
The anti-working class position of the PPP/C Government has been manifested in its unbridled support for RUSAL’s hostility and disrespect of the bauxite workers in their employ, and for the laws of Guyana.
The Minister of Labour, whose remit in matters of industrial disputes is that of an impartial mediator, openly sided with the foreign company by criticising the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU).
Moreover, it will be remembered that the long-serving Chief Labour Officer, Mr. Mohamed Akeel, who only recently, in June 2009, mediated in the dispute concerning poor Occupational Health and Safety standards in RUSAL, on behalf of the Government, was employed by RUSAL as its adviser on labour matters and presumably became the chief adviser on tactics by RUSAL against their workers.
The assault on the rights of workers, by both the government and the private sector, is not new and has continued unabated, while the Ministry of Labour appears impotent to undertake its responsibilities.
Over the past years, Guyanese have witnessed the Government setting the wrong example: by the unilateral cessation of the check off system for union dues from public servants; the abandonment of collective bargaining in violation of ILO conventions to which Guyana is a signatory; the willful and malicious withholding of subventions approved by the Parliament for the Critchlow Labour College; and, the seizure of land donated to the Guyana Public Service Union. Regrettably, some private sector agencies have followed the Government’s atrocious example.
The recent actions of the Barama Company are the latest example.
Crisis
The situation in the Bauxite sector has, however, reached crisis proportions. The workers at Aroaima have been left for nearly a year at the mercy of this foreign Company that has arrogantly refused to honour the collective labour Agreement with the Union. This situation cannot be allowed to continue.
The Government, as usual, has its double standards in the differential treatment to various categories of workers. The speed with which the Ministry of Labour intervenes in strikes by sugar workers is in sharp contradiction to the total neglect for bauxite workers, giving validity to the PNCR often repeated allegation of discrimination by the PPP/C against bauxite workers.
The PNCR will continue to lend support to the legitimate struggle of workers, in Guyana, to protect their interests and will provide any support, requested by the bauxite workers.
The Government, even at this late hour, must honour their legal and constitutional duty.
In response to a letter dated November 19, 2010, from the Minister of Labour, on this issue, The Leader of the Opposition will meet with the Minister of Labour, on Monday at 10:00 AM in the hope of having this matter resolved without any further delay.

---

---