Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Nov 02, 2014 News
Owing to constant battles over wage negotiations and other human resources matters, between the National
Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), the Guyana Public Service Union, (GPSU) and Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL), the Power Company has been issued an ultimatum to start negotiations for wages, salaries and better working conditions for employees.
The unions have accused GPL of placing workers concerns on the back burner and trying to remove its members by placing them on contract jobs. The unions represent more than 700 senior and junior staff at GPL.
In a release to the press yesterday, NAACIE made specific reference to a meeting held at the Ministry of Labour on October 24, 2014 between the parties comprising representatives of both Unions (GPSU and NAACIE) which have recognition for different categories of workers of the Guyana Power & Light, Management of GPL and the Ministry of Labour, confirming their position taken at the meeting and serving on Management of GPL an ultimatum of one month’s (31 days) notice, that they must start the negotiations or face necessary industrial action.
In a letter addressed to the Ministry of Labour, General Secretary of NAACIE, Kenneth Joseph, outlined that the unions have made all attempts to meet with the Management jointly to negotiate salaries and wages along with conditions of work for its members; after one year this request is still to be agreed on by the company.
Joseph called on the Minister of Labour, Nanda Gopaul, to intervene in the matter, bringing about redress, thus paving the way for Collective Bargaining process to take place jointly between the unions and the Management of GPL.
“We have explained our reason for this action, but the GPL continues to refuse our demands. Their only reason is that the two Unions represent categories of workers…This leaves us with no other alternative but to inform you that our two Unions have indicated to the Chairman of the meeting and representative of GPL, Mr. Bal Persaud, of our intention to take industrial action if the company refuses to negotiate with the workers’ representatives of GPL collectively,” the correspondent outlined.
According to the General Secretary, the ultimatum served on the Management of GPL is in keeping with the provisions of Public Utility Undertakings and Public Health Act chapter 54:01, that should the Company refuse to negotiate with the unions for wages/salaries and other conditions of employment, for 2013, no later than 31 days after receipt of the letter, it will result in the union taking necessary actions they see fit to demonstrate their displeasure; the two unions shall authorize their members to ultimately take appropriate Industrial Action against this contemptible treatment and total disregard for their Labour.
“We will be forced to take whatever action we feel necessary according to the Act which could include but not limited to taking strike action,” the letter stated.
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