President declares…
-not on his watch
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo made it clear Friday evening upon his return from the MERCOSUR summit in Brazil that his administration will not countenance any suggestion from the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) about de-recognising the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU). The President was responding to media reports that night, that the sugar company, in a letter to GAWU, threatened to consider parting company with the Union in light of its continual violation of the Collective Labour Agreement.
He said that while he understands the frustration of GuySuCo’s Board and its management, the issue of de-recognition was definitely out of the question. He, however, declined to elaborate on the ongoing dispute between the Union and GUYSUCO which is hampering sugar production for 2010, save for saying that the matter will be discussed at an internal meeting scheduled for yesterday, following which he will be in a better position to pronounce on it.
Like the President, Agriculture Minister, Mr. Robert Persaud, who was away when the letter surfaced, having been part of the delegation to Brazil, said de-recognition was not an option, and never will be, and that he is awaiting a full report on the status of engagement between the Union and the company from the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dr. Nanda Gopaul.
GuySuCo is contending that strike action and low staff turnout are among factors inhibiting the industry’s production and affecting its turnaround plan. It says that while it has enough cane in the fields to meet its 2010 target, the factors at reference are obstructing harvesting and milling.
The company has since issued a statement saying that it’s recent decision to review its relationship with GAWU was “based purely on the expectations of the Union as outlined in the ‘Recognition and the Avoidance and Settlement of Disputes’ agreement.”
According to the release, the company has, on numerous occasions, had cause to remind the Union, by way of both public and personal communication, that a number of its strike actions, including the recent one-week industry-wide strike, were in contravention of their labour agreement.
It quotes the company as saying that all the letter to the union sought to do was to highlight this constant violation and more so, this increasing trend at such a crucial juncture of the industry.
Contending that no responsible corporation would allow a union representing the majority of its workforce to continue such action with impunity, and at the expense of the future viability of the sugar industry, GuySuCo says in the release: 
“GAWU’s abrasive focus on the aspect of the Corporation’s decision to review their agreement, rather than honestly assess the serious concerns which led to such a decision, is a clear indication of the headstrong approach by the union to achieve its means, irrespective of the consequences.
“The union is once again reminded that the current challenges to the industry are real, and can only be overcome by a unified approach, dedication and hard work.
“Against this backdrop, the Corporation is once again calling on GAWU to act in the best interest of the industry which is the provider for both the workers it represents and itself.”
And, expressing disappointment at the gist of the editorial in yesterday’s edition of the Kaieteur News, the company takes particular umbrage at the part that reads: “Management on the other hand has already been awarded a holiday bonus. Where is the equity in the sharing of the burdens of the industry?”
Deeming the excerpt at reference “highly inflammatory” and “totally false,” GuySuCo is calling on the paper “to urgently offer a retraction.”