Union strikes deal for 6.5% raise for Bosai workers

Dec 10, 2014 News

Weeks after strike action by Linden’s bauxite workers, an agreement has been reached

File photo: The striking Bosai workers in Linden, in late November.

for a 6.5 per cent across the board increase for unionized workers.
According to a joint statement by management of Bosai Minerals Group (Guyana) Inc. (BMGG) and the National Association of Agricultural Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), snack allowance was also increased to $550. The increases are effective April 01, 2014, and the agreement was signed last Friday at Watooka House, Linden.
Signing on behalf of the company were the General Manager, Robert Shang; Accounting Superintendent, Andy Hao; Senior Personnel Officer, Truedel Marks and Assistant Community Relations Officer, Vanessa Mitchell-Davis.
Representing NAACIE were General Secretary, Kenneth Joseph; Vice President and Branch Chairman, Linnell Warden; Vice Chairman, Orin Tieshmaker; Secretary, Aggrey Darlington, Assistant Secretary, Neptrid Hercules and Committee Member, Trevor Henry.
In late November, Bosai workers took strike action in Linden protesting a 6 percent increase proposed by Bosai.
Secretary of the Linden branch of NAACIE, Aggrey Darlington, had said that the workers were also protesting over news by management that no bonus would be paid this year.
According to Darlington, workers wanted 8.5 percent, but the union had sought to negotiate for at least 7.5 percent. However, management is adamantly sticking to the proposed six percent.
He added that set production targets are almost met, so the position being taken by management is unreasonable.
Orin Tieshmaker, Vice Chairman of NAACIE Linden Branch, had said that there is a general feeling of dissatisfaction among workers.
“We have a structure set out, that is why we can demand our bonus. So if you set up a structure, and if we can achieve our targets and then you’re going to tell us that we can’t receive our bonus, then something has to be wrong.”
Tieshmaker said that workers are afraid to voice their concerns, because they fear victimization, and added that the Union is not being respected by management. He drew attention to appalling conditions that workers are forced to work under in the mines, and asked that relevant stakeholders, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the Regional authorities and Minister Robert Persaud look into these concerns.