NAACIE sugar workers end strike : …but warn about further action if agreed salaries not paid

THE small section of the sugar workforce within the bargaining unit of the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) that went on strike last Wednesday has returned to work at their respective estates.However, GuySuCo was warned that if salaries which were agreed upon are not paid, industrial action will continue to be pursued by the Union.

General Secretary of NAACIE, Kenneth Joseph, in an interview with this newspaper Tuesday explained that the 137 workers from a bargaining unit of 1,000 workers who participated in the three-day strike (Wednesday-Friday) turned out to work Monday last.
A bulk of 39 came from Blairmont Sugar Estate. He noted too that calls from GuySuCo demanded the estates not to permit the workers who were on strike to work in the factories. As a result, they were locked out of the estates on Saturday and not allowed to work.
The General Secretary also expressed his disappointment in their category of  workers in GuySuCo not being paid according to agreements while the Union has done all they think was in the interest of the production of sugar and in  the interest of Guyana as a whole.
He claims that the industrial action which was taken on April 9th was done in keeping with an ultimatum sent by the Union to GuySuCo informing them of their intention to do whatever it takes to cause the corporation to pay salaries to their members in keeping with the Norman McLean Arbitration Award and Collective Labour Agreement dated July 8, 2011.

As a result, NACCIE stressed that the strike by their workers was not unofficial as the corporation was made aware that industrial action would be taken if the demands of the Union were not met.
NAACIE previously explained that the corporation was
still resisting the proper implementation of the Tribunal Award along with the year of service agreement between the parties despite the Union’s advice.
“We will insist that our members be paid according to fairness and the agreement and will represent this matter at all levels,” the union said.

Efforts to contact CEO of GuySuCo, Mr. Raj Singh to clarify the claims of the sugar workers being restricted from working last Saturday and the other allegations by NACCIE, proved futile.
NAACIE assured that their position is non-negotiable and they could take their action to the streets and will proceed to seek solidarity from other Unions in the regional and international sphere.
Written By Ravin Singh

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