– says Dr. Gopaul’s  trade union experience and struggles should guide him to sound decision-making and delivery of justice for Guyanese workers
THE Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) yesterday dispatched a letter to Minister of Labour, Dr. Nanda Gopaul, bringing to his attention outstanding grievances involving the union and the three bargaining units of the union – the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc (BCGI), Oldendorff Carriers Inc, and the state-owned Linden Electricity Company.

According to GB&GWU, the outstanding issues have been before the ministry since 2007 and the union is requesting that urgent attention be paid to them. These issues were outlined in a letter, signed by the Union’s president Mr. Leslie Gonsalves, addressed to Dr. Gopaul, the newly appointed Labour Minister, who replaced previous minister Mr. Manzoor Nadir in President Donald Ramotar’s new cabinet.

Outstanding grievances include the companies refusal to treat with the Union consistent with Section 23(1) of the Trade Union Recognition Act; formation of a company union in violation of Section 23(1) of the Recognition Act; industrial accidents that resulted in deaths and injuries to workers; wages and working conditions negotiation; refusal to establish arbitration procedures consistent with the labour law; arbitrary suspension and dismissal of workers; and enquiry into the BCGI spade-wielding General Manager’s threat to bash workers’ heads and bury them.

Having taken note of Dr. Gopaul’s appointment as the subject Minister for the Ministry of Labour and the statement by the Government that it is prepared to address issues pertaining to workers in a very dispassionate and constructive manner, the union said it interprets the said
statement as “a new contract with the workers”.

Further, it said the minister’s statement that he is prepared to address all outstanding grievances
has encouraged the union to re-submit same with the expectation of having them resolved consistent with established industrial principles.

The union noted that Minister Gopaul has years of experience as a workers’ representative. “As
such, expectations are held that he would bring to the ministry the appreciation for respecting the rights of workers as critical to enhancing production and national development consistent with the International Labour Organisation’s Core Labour Standards,” the union stated.

It said although the members of GB&GWU have for years been denied justice, the
consequence of what the union is alleging is the dereliction of duty by the previous Labour Minister, in the abrogation of his responsibility under the Labour Law, Chapter 98:01, Section 4 ‘Powers of minister in case of trade dispute’, the Union said it is prepared to start anew to secure closure for the outstanding grievances and ensure justice is served for every worker.

The union also said it looks forward to a new beginning in setting an industrial climate consistent with international conventions and constitutional guarantees.  The union also made it clear that it has no reason, at this time, not to have confidence in Minister Gopaul whose trade union experience and struggles should guide him to sound decision making and the delivery
of justice for Guyanese workers.