THE University of Guyana (UG) administration would like to thank the Ministry of Labour for brokering the agreement among the administration, the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) and the University of Guyana Workers Union (UGWU) which led to the following Terms of Resumption agreed  on February 25, 2012:
1. That the unions will call off all forms of industrial action of their members as at 07:00 hrs on Monday, February 27, 2012.
2. That there shall be no victimisation or harassment by either side.
3. That the status quo ante will prevail.
4. That there shall be no break in service.
5. The parties will resume discussions at the bilateral level on a monthly basis for the next three months and thereafter on a mutually agreed basis to discuss matters of interest.
6. The administration agrees to convene a meeting between the unions and the negotiating team within one month of the submissions from the unions of their memorandum of demands for workers within their respective bargaining units.
7. Should the parties fail to resolve their differences, the Ministry of Labour will conciliate in the matter.
8. The administration shall work with the Ministries of Education and Finance to satisfy the applicable terms of the World Bank loan in a speedy manner.
9. That the Ministry of Labour will conciliate in the matter of the ending of services of three  lecturers in January 2012 within one week upon full resumption of work.

In keeping with the Agreement, the concerned parties will go to conciliation this week in an effort to resolve the 9th issue.

Prior to the meetings at the ministry which commenced on February 21, Pro-Chancellor Dr Prem Misir met with executives of the University of Guyana Staff Association, the University of Guyana Workers Union and the University of Guyana Student Society on two  occasions (February 7 & 8) and committed to working steadfastly towards the timely resolution of the issues they raised.

In addition, the university administration had a joint meeting on February 13, with representatives of the three groups at which the parties discussed matters pertinent to the World Bank loan; the Caribbean Development Bank grant to review the institution’s regulatory structure; its financial status; conditions of service; the infrastructure and unavailability of grades.  Action was agreed on a number of issues, some of which have already commenced.

The university administration has always been fully committed to achieving the aims stated when the university was established in 1963 – to provide a place of education, learning and research of a standard required and expected of a university of the highest standard, and to secure the advancement of knowledge and the diffusion and extension of arts, sciences and learning throughout Guyana.
The university administration remains committed to working with staff, students and external stakeholders, who have an expressed desire to see UG continue to play a major role in the development of Guyana.