– BCGI claims 90% of striking workers back at work
– union says this claim is ‘utter nonsense’ and intends to take strike to ‘a higher level’
THERE were conflicting reports emanating yesterday from the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc. (BCGI) and the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) as it relates to the ongoing strike action by bauxite workers.

A statement yesterday by BCGI that 90% of the staff had returned to work despite the strike by the GB&GWU, was described by President of the Union Mr. Charles Sampson as ‘utter nonsense’.

“They have their figures, we have ours and we know that the strike is ongoing,” Sampson said yesterday.

He disclosed that the Union had written the Ministry of Labour on Tuesday requesting an intervention particularly in light of the “de-recognition” of the Union by BCGI.

On Tuesday, too, the Union had also written to BCGI requesting a meeting to discuss terms of resumption.

“The Union is awaiting responses to these two letters,” Sampson said.

He added: “We are however at the moment looking at other options, looking at taking the strike to a higher level.”

In its press release yesterday, BCGI, the subsidiary of Russian aluminum giant, Rusal, said that 90% of the Staff had resumed day and night operations; that production targets were surpassed over the last five shifts and that there was greater stability by the workforce.

The Company also stated that it will be making announcements on payment of bonuses and increases in wages and salaries “by unilateral and voluntary decision” by tomorrow (Friday), to allow preparation of pay-packets in time for the Christmas holidays.

Once again, the Company stated, management would like to acknowledge the loyalty and courage of those workers who continue to support BCGI and safeguard our collective livelihoods.

The statement concluded that meanwhile, management is computing the financial losses suffered by the company during this illegal strike and will make this public once done.

Workers at BCGI’s Aroaima operations went on strike on November 22nd last to press demands for a 10% wage hike.

In an attempt to address the issue, the company had put forward three options to the workers through their union.

Option one stated that the company would pay a 10% increase across the board retroactive to January 2009 and reduce the workforce by 14%, which amounted to 75 workers.

This was agreed to by the workers and supported by their union but on November 22, when workers commenced their protest action, several of them were issued letters of suspension and dismissal.

The Union appealed to BCGI to withdraw the letters of suspension as part of the terms of resumption but the Company did not.

Sampson said yesterday that had the company agreed to this term the workers would have been willing to return to their jobs and allow their Union to get the 10% and work out the proposed Staff reduction.

“They are just beating about the bush and in the meantime attempting to break the back of the strike ,” Sampson charged.

He said that many workers had been threatened with dismissal and some had bowed to pressure and returned to their jobs.

He said yesterday that the Union may soon move to mobilise its members at the Trans-shipment facility to prevent the shipments of bauxite from Aroaima.

“Even if they produce the bauxite we will mobilise our members to ensure that they cannot ship it out,” he said.