THE Ministry of Labour was successful in brokering an agreement among the UG administration, the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) and the University of Guyana Workers Union (UGWU), thereby ending industrial unrest at the university. According to Government’s spokesman Dr. Roger Luncheon, Cabinet took note of the origin of the protests, which revolved around agitation by certain elements in light of the U.G. Council’s decision to address the invalid extension of contracts of some academic staff.
The HPS pointed out that Cabinet remained concerned about the falsities being peddled about the role of the University of Guyana in the design of the Government of Guyana’s World Bank loan agreement.
He said, “Contrary to some ill-advised pronouncements, it was former President Bharrat Jagdeo who had agreed with the World Bank to use the allocations to address the education environment nexus, and to make commitments by providing loan financing to U.G.”
The loan financing was also intended to support developments that the former President had introduced in providing Guyana Redd Investment Funds (GRIF) for the establishment of a biodiversity centre.”
The HPS added that the World Bank loan financing was a logical extension of the GRIF initiative, and he recalled that it was a decision that originated with, and was implemented by, the government.
“Cabinet felt that inaccuracies that were being peddled about the matter were indeed reprehensible in the face of the availability of information to the contrary,” Dr. Luncheon added.
In addition, Cabinet concluded that, the efforts by the Labour Ministry having borne some fruit; it would be at the level of the parties to the agreement to resolve their differences.
Meanwhile, the terms of resumption agreed on February 25, 2012 by the involved parties included:
That the unions would call off all forms of industrial action of their members as at 07:00 hrs on Monday, 27th February, and that there should be no victimization or harassment by either side.
In addition, the status quo ante would prevail, and there should be no break in service.
The parties have also agreed to resume discussions at the bilateral level on a monthly basis for the next three months, and thereafter on a mutually agreed basis, to discuss matters of interest.
The administration also agreed to convene a meeting between the unions and the negotiating team, within one month of the submissions from the unions of their memorandum of demands for workers within their respective bargaining units.
Should the parties fail to resolve their differences, the Ministry of Labour will conciliate in the matter. This was also part of the agreement brokered.
In addition, the administration agreed to work with the Ministries of Education and Finance to satisfy the applicable terms of the World Bank loan in a speedy manner.
They have also agreed that the Ministry of Labour will conciliate in the matter of the ending of services of three lecturers in January 2012, within one week upon full resumption of work.
According to the U.G. Administration, prior to the meetings at the Labour Ministry, which commenced on February 21, Pro-Chancellor Dr. Prem Misir met with executives of the UG Staff Association and the University Of Guyana Student Society on two occasions (February 7 and 8) and committed to working steadfastly towards the timely resolution of the issues they raised.
In addition, the UG administration held a meeting with the three groups on February 13, wherein were discussed matters pertinent to the World Bank loan, the Caribbean Development Bank grant, review of the institution’s regulatory structure, financial status, conditions of service, and the infrastructure; and the matter of the unavailability of grades.
Agreements were reached on a number of issues, in some of which action has already commenced.