Labour Day observances… GuySuCo turnaround among focal points

May 02, 2014 News

…as sweeping motions approved at GTUC rally

By Zena Henry

GTUC General Secretary Lincoln Lewis (far right, at podium) delivers his address

Workers’ rights were again the focal point during yesterday’s Labour Day observances, but according to one of the vital bodies within the labour movement, the rights of workers continue to deteriorate, thus forcing the need for definitive moves to reconcile and return power to the workers.
At the Critchlow Labour College on Woolford Avenue, workers and their Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) representatives voted in favour of four motions that will see calls to the government to earnestly deal with the Sugar Industry (specifically the Guyana Sugar Corporation), a National Agency shop legislation, establishment of an industrial tribunal and the minimum wage, and the failing collective bargaining agreement.
The Union emphasised that workers continue to be sidelined by the decisions being made by the current administration, as such the minimum wage and collective bargaining agreement motion are aimed at having the government put mechanisms in place to ensure workers benefit from a proper system. The resolution seeks to have the government increase the national minimum wage, “and it must always be no lower than the tax-free threshold.”
The Union and the hundreds of supporters agreed that the government should, “ensure that there is a development of comprehensive plans for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) that is feasible and can return the industry or reform into a viable economic entity.” The body urges a, “multi-disciplinary and multi-agency Task Force that includes all stakeholders,” while “that task force must investigate and analyze the relevant industry and make recommendations for the development of the industry.”
The National Agency Shop law will seek to have a draft made and tabled in Parliament, while the legislation should be drafted after stakeholder consultations. This speaks to a union process that would be beneficial to its members and non-unionized workers. The Congress’ Industrial tribunal proposal “demands” that the government establish the tribunal to address industrial disputes, since “the Labour Ministry seems unable to resolve the many disputes.”
General Secretary of the GTUC, Lincoln Lewis argued that the government behaves as if it is its sacred right to speak of GuySuCo. “It (GuySuCo) has been receiving loans and grants being drawn down from the consolidated fund; they don’t want to account for it, no one must ask questions, but we are saying it is a national organization and we have a right to talk.”
“The government has been the architect in violating the law, especially when it comes to the Public Service Union, Transport and General Workers’ Union among others. They impose wage increases all the time and we are saying they must respect the law.”
Lewis was making special reference to the “ongoing disregard” for the collective bargaining agreement. Rights must be respected, he stressed, “the law says as long as a union is recognized, the employer must negotiate in good faith.”
Lewis wasted no time in slamming the government for, according to him, “wanting to have a hand in the TUC’s affairs.”
“We own the Critchlow Labour College. They can’t tell us who should be on our Board. It is a violation of our fundamental right as an organization.”
He charged that while the body is being asked to negotiate, “we don’t negotiate principles, we negotiate on issues.”
“It is our right as an organization to determine who sits on the Board. “I am not negotiating that, that’s my right; you don’t negotiate your rights.”
Kathy Fowler of the GTUC’s Women’s Advisory Committee accused the union leaders of failing to earnestly represent workers due to their failure to unite. She highlighted that fifty percent of the workforce is made up of women, yet they are plagued with issues of sexual harassment, exploitation, human trafficking, and poverty among others.
She was adamant that more has to be done for women, urging that it could only come by forging stronger ties with each other.
GTUC President Leslie Gonsalves, in the presence of the Leader of the Opposition David Granger, told other members that it is time to “get off the fence,” and become more pro-active in defending their rights. He also slammed union leaders for “aiding and abetting the government’s disrespect of workers’ rights.”
He equated the government’s treatment of civil servants to the acts of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, before urging the Opposition that it is their duty to restore the adherence of the law when the government ignores the rules of trade unionism.
In an invited comment, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Leader Granger told Kaieteur News that the unions have to take the lead and the coalition will provide support.
“We feel the continued division of the labour movement is harming workers’ progress. We feel this PPP government has been very disrespectful, especially to GPSU, and every year arbitrarily makes salary changes without negotiations. Our principle is that the trade unions have to take the initiative and do the work.”
The APNU Leader reiterated the coalition’s commitment to supporting workers, but echoed the union president’s sentiment of the need to be pro-active.