Minister of Labour Manzoor Nadir Saturday  assured workers and residents of Kwakwani, Region 10 that “Government will not allow the rights of workers to be trampled upon.”
Minister Nadir made this response to statements that Government seemed to be anti-worker and supportive of RUSAL denying workers their rights, during an interactive session with residents as part of a Cabinet outreach led by President Bharrat Jagdeo.
The Minister disclosed that over 150 employees of RUSAL have indicated to him, in writing, that they no longer wish to be represented by the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GBGWU).
However, he explained that when a union seeks to represent workers in a company, there is a process to be followed where the union has to win support from 40 percent of the workers before that body can apply to the Trade Union Recognition and Certification Board for acknowledgment.
He added that although Government appoints this board, it is not a Government board, since the employers’ group, represented by the Consultative Association of Guyanese Industries (CAGI) and the union, selects three persons each to sit on the Board, all of whom are appointed by the Minister of Labour.
The Chairman is also appointed by the Minister after consultation with the other groups and that person has to be in agreement with both employers and union. The board decides on union recognition.
However, he explained that the GBGWU is still legally recognized as the body that has power to bargain for the workers because it was granted a certificate of recognition from the board.
He further explained that for the workers to change unions, the board has to call for a poll; and if more than 50 percent of the workers are in favour of a new union, then the board will issue a derecognising certificate to the GBGWU.
According to Minister Nadir, a poll will be taken by secret ballot, and based on the results, the board will take action.
The GBGWU, which has been representing the bauxite workers over two years, began negotiating with RUSAL for increased wages and salaries for workers in 2009. Both parties agreed that they will engage in negotiations while the Labour Ministry will monitor the negotiations.
In November 2009, RUSAL presented three options to the union. The union agreed to the option which proposed that the company will increase wages and salaries by 10 percent, but with the condition that when bauxite production dropped, 14 percent of the workers will be terminated as was stated in its previous policy. So by agreeing to this option, the Union agreed to the termination of 75 workers.
Meanwhile RUSAL stated that the union reneged on its agreement not to take strike action which it did in November 2009.
The union, on the other hand, claimed that it is renouncing the collective labour agreement which is within its right. However, it will need to negotiate with the company for a new agreement.
Minister Nadir urged the workers to ensure that they are represented by a union in spite of the outcome of the polls.
At the same meeting, residents raised issues pertaining to the need for additional medical personnel in the community, the lack of adequate transportation for school children, and the state of the roads in the community during the rainy season.
The Cabinet, led by President Bharrat Jagdeo, Saturday fanned out to various riverine communities and wards of Linden to meet with residents and allow them to highlight their concerns.(GINA)