COURTS Guyana Inc. and the Clerical and Commercial Workers Union (CCWU) on Wednesday signed a new Collective Agreement for the period 2014-2015, which will see COURTS employees enjoying a 5% wage increase, among other things, for the period.The signing took place in the boardroom of the Ministry of Labour, Brickdam, Georgetown. Officiating at the exercise were: Chief Labour Officer (CLO), Charles Ogle, who signed on behalf of the Ministry of Labour; COURTS Managing Director, Clyde De Haas and Human Resources Director, Michael Carter, who signed on behalf of that entity.
Heading the Clerical and Commercial Workers’ Union (CCWU) – the union representing COURTS employees was General President, Sherwood Clarke, accompanied by the Principal Assistant General Secretary, Andrea Joseph; Branch Chairperson, Laurie Baptiste and Secretary, Oslyn Mason.
Mr. Michael Carter, on behalf of COURTS, thanked the union and the Chief Labour Officer, Mr. Charles Ogle for facilitating the process, which, according to him, is an indication that there is a good industrial relations climate existing between the two. He added that COURTS as a good corporate citizen, is always committed to creating the right working conditions for employees. This he said; is necessary to ensure the presence of a good work environment, which leads to optimal output and ultimately maximising workers’ efficiency.

Clarke said his Union looks forward to continue working with the company and committed to adhering to all their rules and regulations.
Mr. Sherwood Clarke, on behalf of the CCWU, congratulated COURTS on the occasion of its 21st anniversary of doing business in Guyana. He noted that what was significant during the period of negotiations, was that over the period 2001-2014, COURTS was able to offer its employees increases totalling 94.3%. Over the same period, bicycle allowance has been increased from $10,000 to $21,000; the meal allowance package from $1,150 to $2,710; out-of-town allowance climbed from $1,000 per 24-hour period to $3,000. Other allowances which have climbed considerably include those for leave, uniforms and protective clothing.
Clarke also congratulated COURTS for the good bilateral relations being enjoyed with the union, singling it out as one of the few work organisations where it does not become necessary to have to visit the Ministry of Labour for intervention into any serious disputes.
Meanwhile, Chief Labour Officer, Mr. Charles Ogle, added that the Ministry of Labour is pleased that the parties were able to reach agreement, adding that it augurs well for the relationship between management and workers. He confirmed that the agreement signed was done by the two parties without any intervention from the Ministry of Labour or without industrial action.
At this point, the CLO recommended to the parties that, instead of signing one-year agreements, it would be better to do it bianually or perhaps every three years, especially since some negotiations are protracted. He considered it a good sign when parties could find solutions to their issues, without intervention from the Ministry of Labour.
Mr. Francis Carryl, consultant in the Ministry of Labour, agreed that the signing of multi-year agreements is a very valid one and hoped that the union and management would be able to focus their attention in that direction. He said it was commendable that the parties could have come together and found common ground at this juncture, indicating that it is a sign of maturity.
Carryl observed too, that it is especially commendable, given that the trend around the Caribbean and farther afield, is that businesses are facing tough times. He noted that in North America of recent, work weeks have been reduced by two and three days and commented: “The fact that COURTS could be signing an agreement to increase the benefits of its workers, is highly commendable in this economy of ours.”
***CAPTION: Photos saved in Graphics as ‘Labour photos’:
SAM 3950: Mr. Michael Carter of COURTS presents a copy of the agreement to Francis Carryl, Labour Consultant
SAM 3952: CCWU General President, Sherwood Clarke presents a copy of the agreement to Chief Labour Officer, Mr. Charles Ogle