I have seen in the USA trade unions working along with companies to avert job losses and complete collapse. Workers benefits were reduced, even management wages were slashed in the interest of keeping companies viable. Government should be given credit for keeping the sugar industry alive despite the many challenges encountered. The chief culprit was the cut in the EU quota. Billions of dollars were lost in revenue, still this government saved the sugar industry from closure.
Correct policies were put in place; GAWU was asked to sit on Guysuco’s board; a new, modernized sugar factory was built and new lands were put under sugar cultivation to boost production.
GAWU refused to sit on Guysuco’s Board to look after sugar workers’ interests, GAWU called over 250 unnecessary strikes in 2010 that caused several billion dollars in losses to the Sugar Corporation and Guyana.
My fellow Guyanese this is simple economics: if a business does not make a profit it cannot pay out wage increases and bonuses. Workers must understand this, time is changing and unions must change their old habits and focus their minds on helping companies make a profit, as they embrace the welfare of their members.
For survival sake many companies are educating their workforce about competition, good services, good product and efficiency.