Agreements signed for hike in pay, allowances for GPL, GuyOil workers

May 19, 2025 News

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Kaieteur News- The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc. and the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), as well as the Guyana Oil Company Limited (GUYOIL) and the Clerical and Commercial Workers Union (CCWU), signed separate agreements last week for wage increases for workers.

The signing was overseen by Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr. Ashni Singh, and took place at the Ministry of Finance in the presence of representatives of the workers’ unions and the companies involved.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Finance, the first agreement (between GPL and GPSU) is a two-year agreement (2024-2025) allowing for an increase in salaries and allowances for GPL workers and the second agreement (between GUYOIL and CCWU) also paving the way for increased salaries and allowances, is a three-year agreement for the years 2024-2026.

Speaking during the signing of the first agreement between GPL and GPSU, Minister Singh said the agreement covers two years and comes against the background of a succession of multi-year agreements that Government has been able to conclude between agencies in the public sector and the various labour Unions. “The agreements represent just the two most recent instalments in what constitutes a visible manifestation of President Ali’s Government’s commitment to a favourable industrial relations climate. I would say that the last two years, perhaps, were historic years in connection with the industrial relations climate in Guyana, in particular, in relation to the number of multi-year agreements concluded,” Minister Singh added.

Minister Singh also emphasized, “We’ve been able, as a government, to conclude so many multi-year agreements- really is something that I’m immensely proud of. It is reflective of the maturity of the relationship that we enjoy with the unions in Guyana and the maturity with which the leadership of the unions have adopted its engagement with us. Government places the highest level of importance on improving the lives of every single citizen and we aim to realize this through all that we do, including, of course, the various investments that we’re making in infrastructure, including social infrastructure, education, health care, housing, water, etc, all of which go to the core quality of life.”

Chief Labour Officer, Dhaneshwar Deonarine, during brief remarks said he was pleased that the respective parties were able to conclude agreements as he applauded the management of the entities and the union, pointing out that in many cases, collective bargaining is not about winning but examining the best interest of those whom the bargaining entities are serving.

In his remarks, GPL’s Team Leader for its Management Committee, Kesh Nandlall, said GPL is in an expansion mode and the company has a pivotal role to provide cheap and reliable power across the country, especially now during the economic expansion taking place.  He also recognized Minister Singh’s role during the negotiation process, which led to the successful conclusion of the agreement.

Also speaking during the signing of the first agreement as she signed the agreement on behalf of the Union, GPSU’s First Vice President, Dawn Gardner, said that in terms of bargaining in good faith, “as a union, we take it very seriously- and the human resource of any organisation is the most valuable resource. For the development of any organization, this resource must be treated with respect. At GPL, it is no different.” She also pointed out that Dr. Ashni Singh’s intervention during the bargaining process on behalf of the Government was very helpful towards the parties reaching the agreement today.

In terms of the second agreement, Chairman of GUYOIL, Paul Cheong, said he is appreciative of the signing of the multi-year agreement between GUYOIL and CCWU as it would bring further stability to the company, and workers can focus their efforts on delivering a good service to Guyanese.

According to the press release, CCWU’s General Secretary, Sherwood Clarke, during his remarks, highlighted that GUYOIL is the largest membership unit of CCWU in terms of both numbers and participation, as he commended the parties involved for their support towards ensuring that GUYOIL’s employees benefit as a result. He also acknowledged Minister Singh’s active role and strong support in the agreement coming to fruition.

The ministry’s release stated that in 2024, the Government and the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), after extensive discussions and negotiations, also concluded a multi-year agreement with respect to employment benefits for public servants for 2024 and 2025. Under that agreement, public servants benefited from a 10 percent salary increase for 2024 and will benefit from an 8 percent salary increase in 2025. This followed a 3-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) and the Ministry of Education (MOE). Government also concluded similar multi-year agreements with the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA), University of Guyana Workers Union (UGWU), and the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), under which these workers received a 10 percent salary increase for 2024, and an 8 percent and 9 percent increase to be paid in 2025 and 2026, respectively.

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