On receiving submissions…
GUYANA Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) yesterday exchanged submissions on their wages and salaries dispute and presented copies to Chairman of the Arbitration Tribunal, Dr Gobin Ganga.

Ganga, who received the documentation at the Bank of Guyana on Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown, said the two parties will study each other’s arguments and present their separate cases to the panel on Saturday.

He underscored that both the workers and the corporation are important to the survival and success of the sugar industry and pledged that the tribunal will work to resolve the issues in an amicable manner.

Ganga said the two sides will hear the verdict on the wages and salaries controversy on or before December 12.

GAWU President Komal Chand said the union looks forward to resolving its differences with the corporation in the best interest of the industry’s stakeholders.

Chief Executive Officer Errol Hanoman emphasised that GuySuCo’s differences with the union should not be seen in a negative light, as the parties enjoy a good working relationship.

Minister of Labour Manzoor Nadir imposed compulsory arbitration on the two sides after their conciliation talks were declared deadlocked by Chief Labour Officer Yoganand Persaud.

Nadir last week Wednesday named the members of the tribunal, appointing Ganga, Bank of Guyana Deputy Governor, to chair it as he had done last year.

The others sitting with Ganga are GuySuCo representative Sonya Roopnauth and Yog Mahadeo, representing GAWU.

The three will inquire into the disagreements between the two and make a fitting award.

GAWU, in negotiations with GuySuCo, had demanded a 15 per cent pay increase for its members, but subsequently adjusted its demand to 10 per cent after taking into consideration the financial status of the employer.

But GuySuCo, from the inception, made it clear that, given its grim financial position, it cannot offer more than three per cent, which was withdrawn after the union refused to accept.

Workers at all the GuySuCo estates, who were on strike in support of the pay hike, resumed work last week Thursday.