NAACIE also satisfied with other bauxite workers benefits
AN agreement between the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees(NAACIE) and Bosai Minerals Guyana, signed on Thursday, will give some 500 Linden workers a seven per cent across-the- board wages and salary increase.
The signing was done at Watooka Club, Mackenzie, in the presence of Chief Labour Officer (CLO), Mr. Yoganand Persaud and Chairman of the town’s Interim Management Committee (IMC), Mr. Orrin Gordon, among others.
Also at the significant ceremony were teams led by the bauxite company’s General Manager, Mr. George Zhoa and included  Senior Personnel Relations Officer, Mr. Vance Reid and Mr. Lethem Wilson and, on  the NAACIE side, General Secretary Mr. Kenneth Joseph and Linden Branch Chairman, Mr. Linnell Warden.
The parties agreed that the two-fold pact was the new Collective Labour Agreement (CLA) to cover retroactive payment, effective from when the last agreement expired on March 31 last.
Reached for a comment, Zhoa expressed some satisfaction on the negotiated settlement which was achieved without the union having to resort to any form of industrial action because of any disagreement.
“We have a stable workforce and that is the most important thing for a company. The employees get what they need and the company gets what it needs. Both sides got a lot out of it, the agreement,” he remarked, adding that the most important thing is the stable workforce.
Persaud commented: “ We had been in contact with both sides. It is good that people themselves negotiate an agreement. We, at the Ministry (of Labour) are very happy because it is ownership. When you have an agreement between management and union, it  is easier to implement because it came from them. They understand the conditions, so it makes more sense that it comes from a bilateral level. It is easier to implement. The workers, themselves, own the agreement.”
He said the labour officials were there to give guidance to any aspect that may have been needed.
“We encourage bilateral negotiations or agreement for any difficulty they may have. We try to encourage both sides to sit at the table and have talks. We prefer that rather them being confrontational,” he added.
Reid disclosed that, of the two documents signed, the CLA is for four years and the wages agreement is for one year, but will expire in another seven months.
The arrangements also cater for medical, dental and optical benefits for both the wife of male employees and dependants, they will now be able to get care at any hospital of their choice, Reid explained.
Joseph remarked: “We are quite satisfied. The relationship has been cordial and we want it to continue so.”
Warden said one of the important things in the deal is the  wage increase which he described as “most reasonable at this time, taking into consideration the other industries around the country and the present negotiating spirit.”
He observed that the bauxite workers at Linden can now involve their families with the dentures and eye care benefits.
“We also have an education allowance, of $10,000, which is given to workers beyond seven years and $5,000 for those  with five and less,” Reid said, pointing out that it can assist, in some way, to purchase children’s back-to-school things.
“So, in all, I think it is a reasonable package. We also have the meal allowance which has been raised from $700 to $825, taking into consideration the cost for a meal anywhere around Linden,” he added.