– workers demand annual production bonus
Disgruntled sugar workers on all estates downed tools on Wednesday, resulting in a total shutdown of operations across the industry. The workers are demanding an annual production bonus for this year.
The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), which has organised the current strike, had on November 18 submitted a claim for an annual production bonus of 6.80 day’s pay for a production of 201,000 tonnes sugar, or alternatively 29,500 tonnes per day pay.
Deliberations
According to a release, at a meeting on December 10, during the prolonged deliberations between the two parties, the corporation suggested to the union that it should review its original demand to facilitate further dialogue on the matter to which the general secretary of the union, who was the head of the delegation, responded that the union is “flexible” on its demand, and at the next meeting the union will communicate its “flexible position”.
On this note, the corporation suggested that both parties meet no later than the current week. It was then mutually agreed, with the concurrence of the delegation that both parties shall meet on Friday at GAWUs office.
It was therefore not only most disappointing for the union to call a strike when there was an agreement to meet and further negotiate its demand, but its action violated the core of the extant collective labour agreement.
The strike will only exacerbate the corporation’s ability to meet its financial obligation. Despite low production, strikes and low turnouts, the corporation in good faith continues to enhance wages. Just four weeks ago, the corporation, GAWU and NAACIE reached an agreement for an across-the-board increase of four per cent, effective from January 1, this year. The retroactive payments calculated to be Gy$ 735 million will be paid on December 20.
GuySuCo said on Wednesday morning, there were approximately 960 loaded punts with 5300 tonnes of cane waiting to be processed, which could yield 375 tonnes of sugar. In addition, there are 1275 tonnes of cane which are burnt in the fields waiting to be harvested, which could yield another 884 tonnes of sugar.
The corporation wishes to record its disappointment with this strike action and calls upon all parties to act more responsibly to ensure a full resumption by [Thursday] the release said.
Full support
Meanwhile, GAWU President Komal Chand told Guyana Times International on Wednesday that GAWU fully supports the strike, contending that workers have been waiting for too long to receive their annual production bonus.
Chand said the union has waited some 23 days before it received a response on the issue, despite numerous calls made to the corporation’s Industrial Relations Department. It was noted too that the union was told after a meeting with GuySuCo executives on Tuesday that the corporation will not be making any annual bonus awards.
It is after GAWU pointed out its disapproval on this issue, the corporation decided to meet with the union representatives this Friday.
Chand said workers have every right to protest and press for changes and the union will stand by their side.
The GAWU president said he hopes that Friday’s meeting will be fruitful and things could be resolved in keeping with the original agreement. He said that the annual production bonus is a compulsory payment and has to do with whatever production is made. Chand said he hopes that good sense prevails in the meeting and based on the result, the union will be able to inform its members on the next move.
