GAWU/GuySuCo at stage three in negotiation process
REPRESENTATIVES of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) met on Monday with officials from the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), including the Enmore Estate manager, as discussions continued over the dismissal of several employees attached to that sugar factory. During a telephone interview with the Guyana Chronicle yesterday, GAWU General Secretary, Seepaul Narine explained that the recent meeting was considered to be a stage three meeting in the process.
He said, “We met with the estate manager on Monday, and this is another step as we go through the procedure. While there, the union made representations for the workers, and now the estate manager has 48 hours to consider our presentations and to respond.”
Narine further noted that if, within the stipulated time, there was no response from the estate manager, then the procedure allows for the matter to be taken to the union head, and subsequently to the GuySuCo Head Office, and eventually to the Ministry of Labour.
He expressed hope that the matter would be resolved in the interest of the workers, and maintained that GAWU would continue its support of the men until the matter has been resolved.
“We will defend the workers to the union’s best ability, in keeping with the procedures,” the GAWU General Secretary stated.
Following established disciplinary procedure, last Wednesday, GuySuCo took the decision to terminate the employment of 9 employees attached to the Enmore Sugar Factory, following a thorough investigations into an incident which occurred on Friday, February 17, 2012.
It was reported that the employees were observed by a security personnel loading several cast-iron structures (firesides) onto a tractor drawn trailer without approval, while they were at the LBI factory with specific instructions to uplift a quantity of lumber and carrier slats for use at the Enmore factory.