Over non-payment…
THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC) of Georgetown has, once again, failed to meet its monthly and weekly financial obligations.
Contractors are also owed but staff, represented by Guyana Labour Union (GLU), are likely to take strike action, having not been paid for the current month.
Payment is outstanding, as well, to garbage contractors in particular, for February, March and April.
Councillors met with Head of the Implementation Committee, Mr. Keith Burrowes yesterday morning and managed to persuade contractors to wait another three weeks for their money.
Later, at a press conference, in City Hall, Mayor Hamilton Green said, because the Council perceived this financial stringency, it engaged the attention of various unions to find a way forward.
However, in a letter addressed to Acting Town Clerk, Ms. Yonnette Pluck, GLU General Secretary, Mr. Carvil Duncan said the Union’s position is that, unless workers are paid immediately, it will have no alternative but to call a strike.
Mr. Green disclosed that a meeting was held, on Monday, with the Guyana Local Government Officers Union (GLGOU), GLU and various officers who were given an explanation of the municipality’s financial situation.
He said Duncan indicated that his invitation letter, to that meeting, did not inform him that he was required take along a delegation and, consequently, he could not make any commitments on his own.
Nevertheless, Green said those who were present decided to go ahead and meet and, later, reported that details are still being worked out about how to raise the necessary cash.
According to him, delinquent taxpayers and the sloth of the Courts contribute to the municipality’s financial woes.
“What we face today is something we spoke about since 1994, when it was recognised that, unless the Council was able to find new measures of earning revenue, we will always be faced with this dilemma,” Green said.
He said the Council has made several proposals to aid revenue collection but not a single one was received with support by the relevant authorities.

INDUSTRIAL ACTION

Referring to the GLU’s intended industrial action, Green said: “This is not a case where City Hall has a bundle of money in a corner but is reluctant to share. Any right thinking union leader would realise the importance of team work.”
He declared he is “saddened and surprised” that GLU did not accept the Council’s offer to work together as the matter concerns all workers and said it is unfortunate that they have to go through this kind of situation during Labour Week.
GLGOU President, Mr. Andrew Garnett said the current situation is very distressing.
“Any responsible and disciplined union will understand that the problem must be addressed at its root,” he said, admitting there is need for the institutionalising of a collaborative agreement between unions and the M&CC Administration.
Garnett said it was recommended that a broad-based committee be established and Green accepted the suggestion but the former suggested that a comprehensive programme of activities be agreed, rates collection system looked at and the database be upgraded so that delinquent taxpayers can be identified.
Garnett said Government must ensure that it complies with its obligations, by paying its rates on time, in keeping with its own social responsibility.
He said the Council must also engage the attention of President Bharrat Jagdeo for corrective measures to be put in place.