Latest update March 29th, 2024 12:59 AM
Dec 12, 2010 Letters
Dear Editor,
GAWU needs to step back and look carefully at the things it is saying and doing. Observers are no longer easily swayed by the Union’s stories since the history of GAWU and GuySuCo are now open books of proofs and analyses.
Dr. Kenrick Hunte (“GuySuCo has been in a ‘free fall’ with the PPP/C government in full control” in SN, December 6) provided some frank analyses of the situation in sugar, supported by the hard data.
Mr. Donald Jackson attempted to deny the substance of Dr. Hunte’s letter in his letter, “Both the administration and the unions will work assiduously to ensure the Skeldon Project does not become a white elephant”, 8/12/2010, but failed to provide any counter-evidence.
Mr. Seepaul Narine, GAWU General Secretary on 9/12/2010 wrote saying, “Detractors should take note of the successes achieved by GAWU on behalf of the workers,” but from all indicators GAWU is yet to demonstrate what it claimed.
The Sugar Union, GuySuCo and the government have to take the responsibility for the state of the industry. I recall when the PPP was in opposition they opposed the PNC diversification plan for the sugar industry. Under this plan GuySuCo would have been producing tilapia which now sells for US$5.00, dairy, legumes and other crops.
GuySuCo was used too long as a political football and not as a serious business entity.
Contrary to a now propagated political talk that the workers current attitude is influenced from the struggles of sugar during slavery, this behaviour is cultivated by the PPP and GAWU over the years in their fight for political control.
Mr. Donald Ramotar was GAWU’s treasurer during these years and fully aware of the intent and strategy.
Mr. Seepaul Narine’s table shows that total wage increase (349.71 %) from exceeds inflation (249.5%) by 100 percent for his period under review.
Prior to 1992 they are various methods used by the sugar workers to sabotage the industry. Since the PPP came to power those methods are no longer applied yet GuySuCo cannot produced its targets don’t matter how much it is lowered.
Bad political decisions and workers indiscipline continue to haunt this company.
GuySuCo is heavily indebted to the taxpayers of this country as it continues to get billions of dollars to keep it afloat or make investment. The taxpayers are carrying the burden for this company for reckless actions and decision making.
Every dollar borrowed by GuySuCo from the banks is being guaranteed by the state on the taxpayers’ behalf.
GuySuCo management said that workers attendance is about and average 50 percent which GAWU has not denied.
Spending half the time away from work will cripple the most successful company, much less GuySuCo who is limping along. Workers are also refusing to load the came onto the machinery, preferring instead to walk away and leave them in the field to rot.
These are poor working ethics that have gone on for decades and GAWU needs to look internally at the performance and attitude of their members and if they want to be seen as a responsible union and get the pay raise, they are demanding for the workers, they need to have a serious talk with them about work ethics.
GAWU can also help the crippling situation by accepting the Board’s offer and try to help to influence the very things they are saying the corporation needs to survive.
Humphrey Charles
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
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