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GTT signs new two-year wage pact with union
Kaieteur News – Workers attached to the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) Company are expected to receive a pay hike based on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Guyana Postal and Telecommunication Workers’ Union (GPTWU) and the Ministry of Labour.
From Left: President of the GPTWU Harold Shepherd, Chief Labour Officer attached to the Ministry of Labour and Damian Blackburn, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GTT sign MoU.
The MoU was signed at Ministry of Labour, Brickdam on Wednesday. The MoU states, that all union members will receive an immediate 2 percent pay increase effective February 2022, this on top of the six percent awarded in October 2021. In January 2023, the members are set to receive a further six percent subject to an additional review depending on inflation levels.
The company made further commitments to reward additional increases based on company and individual performance levels.
Damian Blackburn, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GTT, indicated that major investments in comprehensive fibre skills training for technicians would lead to the overall development of individuals and the company, and promotions for persons who successfully complete the programme.
He sees this as a key foundation building block in the delivery of the 2025 vision to improve life experiences to every home and business. Mr. Blackburn said that GTT will continue to fulfil its promise to positively impact the lives of its team, this time through an unprecedented two-year agreement with the GPTWU.
On Wednesday, the GTT’s CEO signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the union with the Minister of Labour. Blackburn also lauded the relationship that exists with the union and looks forward to continued engagement.
He said, “As a company, we are thrilled to share a good relationship with the union and I have made it a top priority to ensure this comprehensive review of earnings, up skilling, and incentive-based promotion schemes for these employees with a clear and transparent progression pathway for apprentices through to senior technician.”
President of the GPTWU Harold Shepherd described the event as the culmination of “successful negotiations” with the CEO, adding that over the last year, for the first time in recent history, the union has been able to address the backlog of issues, which they have brought to the attention of the GTT management.
Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton praised the relationship between the union and GTT, explaining that agreements as comprehensive as the one between the two parties is representative of 21st century changes in the workforce.
“What this shows is that just a change in style and leadership can improve working [conditions],” the Minister noted. “GTT recognises the importance of training and retraining in the changing labour landscape.”
Following the signing, the telephone company released a statement noting that GTT remains committed to positively impact the lives of its team and will continue to work with key stakeholders to ensure that this is realised.
GTT is the largest provider of telecommunication and technology services in Guyana providing a suite of 21st-century products and services to its home, business and mobile subscribers for over three decades.
Since 1991, GTT has been a subsidiary of ATN International, a NASDAQ listed company.
ATN is a leading provider of communication infrastructure and services earning over 750 million USD in annual revenue. ATN has over 500 thousand subscribers, 8000 fibre miles and 400 wireless towers and has a presence in Caribbean countries such as Bermuda, Cayman Islands, and Guyana, and the US Virgin Islands as well as rural western USA and Alaska.
GTT is committed to bringing Guyanese homes and businesses 21st century telecommunications, in line with the Government’s vision. GTT is investing US$40M this year to upgrade its mobile networks, 4.5G LTE, and to roll out fibre to more than 65% of its copper network footprint – a feat many major global operators have not yet achieved. GTT and its 800 strong team is delivering on its key promises to strengthen the community, reliably connect the customer and innovate for all in Guyana.
In addition to its core services, GTT owns and operates a transformational mobile money service, mmg+, which provides inclusive digital financial service solutions.
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