Union has signed a memorandum of agreement with Troy Resources

Oct 11, 2017 Letters

Dear Editor,
Even though the People United and General Workers Union (TPU&GWU) have faced some setbacks and challenges early in 2017 which it has already addressed, the Union uses this opportunity to apologise to the workers/Union members at TRGI for any delay that may have been caused due to setbacks, but at the same time the Union has managed to honor its commitments made to workers before the end of 2017.
In doing so on January 23, 2017 the Union and Troy Resources Guyana Inc. (TRGI) have signed on to a Recognition Agreement/Memorandum of Agreement(MOA) in the board room of the Ministry of Social Protection Labour Department. On behalf of the Ministry, the agreement was countersigned by Mr. Charles Ogle, Chief Labour Officer.
The MOA provides for- the avoidance and settlement of disputes, union recognition, union rights, workers’ rights and responsibilities, management function, elections for the appointment of shops stewards and branch officer, check-off of union dues, non-discrimination towards workers, strike notice provisions, payment for branch officers and shop stewards to attend meetings and union functions , union officials to gain access to the worksite to conduct meetings, notice board on worksite, aims and objectives of TRGI and the Union, etc.
In addition to the said MOA on October 02, 2017, the Union submitted its Draft Proposal Collective Labour Agreement (CLA) to TRGI for negotiations, the CLA was copied to His Excellency David Granger, President of Guyana, Hon. Moses Nagamootoo, Prime Minister of Guyana, Hon. Raphael Trotman, Ministry of Natural Resources, Mr. Nigel Hughes-Attorney –At-Law/Consultant, Hon. Keith Scott -Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection (Labour Department), Mr. Charles Ogle, Chief Labour Officer (OSHO) Ministry of Social Protection(Labour Department), Secretary, Guyana Trade Union Recognition and Certification Board.
The CLA incorporated the articles in the MOA and it further includes and provides for improving working conditions, terms and condition of employment wages/salaries increases along with a number of benefits such as annual leave and sick leave ,maternity and paternity leave, night premium, redundancy, retirement and severance packages ,out of town allowances and meals allowances, job security, all workers to be permanently employed after serving a three-month probationary period with satisfactory performance, job classifications and job evaluation for all category of workers.
It further includes – , housing plan which provides for workers to construct repair, extend or furnish their homes, joint workplace health, safety and sports committees, justification of pay slips which will record that workers are being paid for all hours work in keeping with the laws of Guyana and agent shop which provides for all works to be paid the equivalent dues for the service provided by the Union.
Without prejudice to the incoming negotiations for a CLA, the union is cognizant of the protraction of the negotiations and the increasing economic burden experienced by the workers as a consequence of an escalating cost of living.
The Union has already submitted to TRGI its wages proposal for 2017 wages increase negotiations. In closing the Union wishes to state it is pleased and happy with the progress made to draft such a good CLA which contains articles that provides for international standards and for workers to work in a safe, healthy, conducive environment.
The Union believes that should it gain full cooperation from TRGI. TRGI has a lot of experiences in these areas since it is an international company. Because of this, the parties will be able to sign onto a very good CLA. The Union is not saying TRGI don’t have good practices at the worksite, but there is always room for improvement, hence, the union sees the need for such a CLA.
Micah Williams
General Secretary
The People United and General Workers Union

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