Rusal summoned to meet Gov’t on unresolved union matters

Nov 11, 2016 News

The Ministry of Social Protection has summoned the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc. (BCGI) to a meeting over the reluctance of the Russian-owned company to engage with the workers’ union.
According to the ministry yesterday, the meeting is set for next Wednesday at 9:30am in its Brickdam boardroom.
“In a comprehensive letter to the management of the company, the Hon. Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Mr. Keith Scott pointed out that the differences subsisting between the company and the union had been festering far too long and that it was time they were put to rest.”
BCGI is local subsidiary of Rusal, a prominent Russian company.
The ministry disclosed that one of the many issues which the ministry intends to discuss with the principals of RUSAL and the executives of the union is the company’s “persistent reluctance” to meet and treat with the recognized union, which is the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers’ Union (GB&GWU).
“The Ministry noted that it had been in discussions with the relevant parties, which are the GB&GWU and RUSAL separately during the past seven months, but the time has come to engage them jointly, so that amicable solutions to the differences can be determined.”
The ministry said that as the custodian of the industrial relations systems in the country and as the Ministry responsible for the maintenance of a stable industrial relations climate, it can no longer allow the differences between the parties to drag on, without a definite end in sight.
“The company and the union have been summoned to the meeting by way of separate letters.”
In 2009, more than 50 Rusal workers were dismissed for protesting for better pay and benefits.
Rusal, or BCGI as it is known locally, has operations in Aroaima and Kwakwani, Region 10.
The matter has been festering under the last two administrations of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) but there have been no solutions, with labour officials making little headway.

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