GPL workers strike… Labour Minister to facilitate discussions today

Mar 01, 2013 News

Labour Minister Dr. Nanda Gopaul has invited representatives of Guyana Power and Light Inc., (GPL) and National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) to a meeting today to renew discussions on the wage increase package for employees.
Meanwhile, doors to the GPL’s main commercial office at Main Street, Georgetown, remained closed yesterday as disgruntled workers continued strike action.
The employees guided by the Union downed tools on Wednesday and protested the Chief Executive Officer’s Duke Street, Kingston Office rejecting a five percent all-inclusive package being offered by the power company.
While some staffers stood in front of the Main Street branch, a majority continued the protests at the Duke Street location. According to Union representative Ramjohn Khan, neither the Union nor GPL has approached each other to recommence negotiations. He emphasised that the Union will not be approaching GPL and indicated that any negotiations will have to be initiated by the power company.
Last week, Dr. Gopaul attempted to facilitate negotiations, but talks broke-down and the Union decided to take industrial action. The Union has tentatively confirmed that it will attend today’s meeting.

GPL’s Main Street branch doors shut

Dr. Gopaul asserted that he understands the positions of both parties and hopes that the talks would see a feasible outcome for those involved. He said that collective bargaining is a long and slow procedure and needs time and proper deliberations.
He noted that from prior discussions, GPL claims that its agreement with the Union became void about six years ago. The company believes that a new agreement is being negotiated and is treating the five percent all-inclusive package as the increase. But, the Union is holding onto the 2001 agreement and is treating the across-the-board increase, performance increment, and annual automatic increment as separate. The Union is seeking an eight percent across-the-board wages and salaries increase and rejected the one percent offered by GPL.