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GTUC claims BCGI workers get no pay increase

Oct 16, 2015 News

…representative union seeks immediate clarity
Government which in recent days has  been coming in for increasing flak over a decision to award a pay increase to the upper echelons of the Executive and Legislative arms of the administration, is now being accused of directing that there be no pay increases for workers attached to the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated’s (BCGI).
The matter has since engaged the attention of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) which has called on the coalition A Partnership for National Unity plus Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government to immediately clarify the directive.
BCGI, a company co-owned by Russian Aluminium (RUSAL) and the people of Guyana, recently announced to its workers that there will be no increase in wages “based on a government directive.”
GTUC reported, yesterday, that BCGI’s management in meetings with workers at its Aroaima location on Monday announced that there will be no wage increases for 2015 based on advice of the Government of Guyana.
GTUC further reported that the following day at another meeting with another group of employees, the management repeated what was said on Monday, when workers asked the question about wage increase.
The Trade Union body has since sought to point out to government that where there exists a recognized trade union, no employer or government has the power or authority to arbitrarily determinate there will be no wage increase, outside of official engagement between the employer and the workers’ representative.
According to GTUC, there exists a Certificate of Recognition issued by the Trade Union Recognition and Certificate Board, dated July 26, 2007. This Certificate of Recognition alluded to by the GTUC expressly states that the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) is recognised as the Bargaining Agent for all non-management employees excluding its security” at BCGI.
Since 2009 BCGI has reportedly been engaging in acts and actions contrary to the Laws of Guyana with the complicity of the Government of Guyana.
“GTUC calls on this present administration to clarify this latest position by BCGI, even more so that the act by the company constitutes violation of the laws and transgression of workers/citizens’ rights which elected officials have sworn to uphold, without fear, favour or ill will.”
The union body by way of a public missive yesterday said that it finds “it very disturbing (that) BCGI is being allowed to violate the tenets of good corporate practices, universal principles and laws.”
The GTUC Statement asserted, too, that “this can only continue in an environment where a government and part owner lacks the political interest, will or commitment to take a stand for what is right, or as the workers are wont to believe, that they have been sold out by a group they voted overwhelmingly for.”
According to GTUC, “These acts do not constitute the climate for a stable industrial environment…Consequently; GTUC calls on the Ministry of Social Protection to address this matter with the immediacy and seriousness it deserves and in the interest of restoring normalcy in the workplace.”
The union body is adamant, “This is a matter about the workers, not a discussion with the BCGI as the company and others are wont to belief.”

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