GAWU to meet GuySuCo management within 72 hours
PRESIDENT of Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), Mr. Komal Chand said its representatives will be meeting with the management of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) within the next 72 hours, to challenge Wednesday’s dismissal of several employees attached to the Enmore Sugar Factory. He made the disclosure to the Guyana Chronicle on the telephone yesterday, in an update of the Union’s position on the matter.
“We have received the report from GuySuCo and we have filed a request for a formal meeting on the matter. We will then request that they justify their actions, so we are hoping that, by Monday or Tuesday, we can have that meeting,” Chand reported.
According to the Union President, this request for the meeting is in keeping with the grievance procedure in the labour agreement with GuySuCo, which provides for a formal request to be made for a meeting with the Estate Manager within the next 72 hours.
Chand emphasized that GAWU will stand by the dismissed workers.
“We will defend the comrades,” he asserted.
In an invited comment yesterday, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GuySuCo, Mr. Paul Bhim reminded that the fired workers have several options to appeal the decision made and they have every right to so do.
A statement issued by GuySuCo said the dismissal of the nine employees followed an incident which occurred on Friday, February 17, when they were sent to the LBI factory with specific instructions to uplift a quantity of lumber and carrier slats for use at the Enmore factory and, while there, they allegedly, removed and loaded several cast-iron structures (firesides) onto a tractor drawn trailer, without permission.
GuySuCo further said that a comprehensive report was prepared after exhaustive interviews with all involved and the recommendations made by the investigating team are being enforced.