GUYOIL employees are concerned that they are now not entitled to an end-of-year bonus, other benefits

Dec 23, 2021 Letters

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Dear Editor,

Kaieteur News – There was an article posted on social media’s Facebook page dated December 17, 2021, by Credible Sources under the pretext by Sherod Avery Duncan, “IN THE RING”. This is not the way to fight. Let me start with a famous quote, “your battle will cause you the war”.
The top management carries out responsibility for interpreting and implementing shareholder’s policy, exercising authority by established policy and serves as a communicating link between the top management and workers at the Guyana Oil Limited Company.
As I see it, the task before us is a monumental one. In addition to all that is foregoing, there must be improved Labour-Management relations, including human relations, which is the way to higher productivity and general overall progress.
The Clerical and Commercial Workers’ Union is a Bargaining agent for junior staff to supervisory staff and as a result, these are benefits the employees receive:
1. Cycle Allowances
Employees whose work require the use of a motorcycle shall be paid for such time as they are engaged in that work an allowance of five thousand dollars ($5,000) per month plus service and fuel.

2. Meal Allowances
An employee who is authorised to start work two hours before his/her normal starting time will be paid a snack allowance of one thousand two hundred dollars ($1,200) and will be given a 15-minute break to eat a snack.

An employee authorised to work through his/her lunch hour shall receive a lunch allowance of one thousand, two hundred dollars ($1,200). An employee who is authorised to work a further two hours beyond his/her normal finishing time will receive a snack allowance of one thousand, two hundred dollars ($1,200).

Employees authorised to work on weekends will be paid a meal allowance of one thousand, two hundred dollars ($1,200) after four hours of work. Another meal allowance of one thousand, two hundred dollars ($1,200) will be paid after an additional four hours of work.

3. Transportation Allowance (18:30 hours and beyond)

• Central Georgetown – $600
• Greater Georgetown – $800
• Over ten miles outside
Georgetown – $1,200

Adventure
• Under ten miles from the base – $800
• Over ten miles from base – $1,500
Palmyra and Heartburn
• Palmyra to New Amsterdam – $600
• Palmyra to Heartburn – $1,500
• Palmyra to Rose Hall, Canje – $800
• Palmyra to Fyrish, Corentyne – $1,200
For weekends, regular bus fare will apply up to 18:30 hours. If an employee works beyond 18:30 hours, Management will refund the taxi fare on presentation of a receipt.

Height Allowance
• Providence Terminal above 25 feet – $1,000
• Heartburn Terminal above 25 feet – $900
• Adventure Depot – $900
Height Allowance
• Providence Terminal – $1,000 per job restricted to two persons/job
• Heartburn Terminal – $900 per job restricted to two persons/job
• Adventure Depot – $900 per job restricted to two persons/job
Out of Town Allowance
All employees who are called upon to conduct company business away from home will be reimbursed a reasonable sum for expenses incurred for meals transportation, accommodation.

Risk Allowance
A risk allowance of five thousand dollars ($5,000) per month is paid to cashiers.
Road Tanker Wagon (RTW) drivers are paid a Dangerous Goods transport and Spillage Allowance of five thousand dollars ($5,000) per month.

Uniforms and Protective Clothing
 For tailoring one pair of female uniforms, a subsidy is to be paid as follows: –
$6,000
 For tailoring one pair of pants, a subsidy is to be paid as follows: –
$3,500

Shift Premium – Service Stations
Employees who are required to work the night shift between the hours of 22:00 hours to 06:00 hours will receive a night premium of three thousand dollars ($3,000) per week pro-rated.

Passage Assistance
All full-time permanent employees shall receive the equivalent of one (1) month’s salary as Passage Assistance having completed one year’s continuous service. Payment will be made on the salary that the employee would have received as of 31/12 of the previous year.

Annual Leave
The annual leave entitlement for workers in the bargaining unit shall be as follows: –
 Over one (1) year’s continuous service – Thirty (30) continuous days.

Bursary Awards
The Company agrees to grant bursaries every year to eligible employees’ children who gained passes at the National Grade Six Assessment Examinations by the terms and conditions of the Company’s approved Bursary Scheme.
The GUYOIL employees have over the years been receiving a non-negotiable end-of-year benefit for Hamper/Party as a traditional contribution from the company. The employees also received Government announced adjustment for wages/salary 2021, a seven percent (7%) increase in wages/salary retroactive to January 2021.
Faith makes all things possible. Hope makes all things work. Love makes all things beautiful, may your life be filled with the blessings of Christmas, and may it always be yours.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Yours faithfully,
Sherwood Clarke
General President
CCWU

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