The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU), will convene its 19th Delegates’ Congress under the theme “Advancing Social Development through Greater Workers’ Democracy.”

A release from the union said the opening session will be held on August 15 at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, and the business sessions on August 17 and 18 at J.C. Chandisingh Secondary School, Port Mourant, Berbice.

GAWU said the Congress, which is held triennially will, among other things, reflect on the major activities of the Union since the 18th Congress in August, 2006, analyse the present economic and political situation, identify some challenges and tasks for the ensuing years and elect a fifty 50 member General Council.

Dr Freek Schiphorst, Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Social Studies (ISS) Hague, Holland, will deliver the feature address and declare open the Congress.

The Congress is the Union’s highest decision-making forum and it is expected to be attended by 600 delegates drawn from the membership of 14 bargaining units, including the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc, Fisheries, Rum & Soft Drink, Forestry, Clerical and Timber entities.

The new General Council will, at its first business session after Congress, elect a new Executive which will assist the General Council to overlook the affairs of the Union, including its negotiations with employers and the promotion of the Union’s education work following the construction of the Union’s spanking new college behind its headquarters.

Meanwhile, the union has announced the results of its National Congress Raffle at its headquarters, 59 High Street and Wight’s Lane, Kingston.

The winning tickets are:
1st Prize – One Jailing Scooter 19983
2nd Prize – One 9.5 cu ft Refrigerator 7193
3rd Prize – Return Trip for two to Kaieteur 10994
4th Prize – One home theater system 5863
5th Prize – 20” Sharp Television 18971
6th Prize – One microwave over 1654
7th Prize – One mountain bicycle 18143
8th Prize – One cellular phone 8217
9th Prize – One blender 8220
10th Prize – One electronic iron 20028

Consolation prizes:
11816 13913
13319 1269
1359 1356
8508 7910
10217 15363
015 13281
21122 17286
14210 10936
21720 19053
12580 16701