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THE University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) together with University of Guyana Workers Union (UGWU) yesterday announced several stringent measures that they would be taking to ensure that the various issues at the University are properly addressed by the administration. Following a meeting with staff members on the University’s Turkeyen campus, they met with members of the media to relay these measures for the university, which they believe need to be urgently rescued.
Bipartisan Approach
, Vice President of the UGSSA, Dr. Melissa Ifill called for a bipartisan approach to solving the problems facing the University of Guyana (UG), which has about 600 employees, representative of both academic and non academic staff.
Dr. Ifill maintained that UG is a national resource, and it is absolutely essential that the various political parties find common ground to resolve the issues which the academic institution is facing.
She pointed out that they had started a process where they engaged the parliamentary parties by signing a petition, asking for a review of the governance structure and statutes at UG to address the deficiencies in the composition and functioning of the council.
According to her, that process is proceeding apace, since they met with the parliamentary committee in late February of this where they made an oral presentation and they currently have their lawyers preparing a written presentation to hand to that committee.
Late Payment of Salaries
Dr. Ifill also informed that the universities administration advised staff on Thursday that salaries would not be paid on that day but that they expected to pay them by Tuesday June 25, 2013.
According to her that sparked spontaneous protest by the staff, since they agreed that they would proceed immediately on a sit in until they are paid.
She noted that they received a memo from the personnel officer yesterday stating that salaries would be available that day.
Dr. Ifill expressed frustration over this noting that it is not the first time that the staff members have not been paid in a timely manner. She added that very short notice is given of this, since they are informed on the same day that they are supposed to be paid.
She added that they have also agreed to stand in support of the part-time staff members, who they were advised have not been paid since February of this year.
According to her, the staff members have also agreed that they will be working to rule, since for too long they have gone above and beyond the call of duty and have been subsidizing the university in various ways.
Dr. Ifill stated that they will be fulfilling all of their contractual obligations but they will not be going the extra mile that the University has been accustomed to them going.
She added that they are also insisting that Vice chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi meet with the members of staff, something which he hasn’t done since his appointment, even though they have asked for such a meeting.
This meeting, she said, should be done to fully apprise them of the current situation and very importantly outline plans for the future.
Class action Lawsuit
She announced that they will be filing a class action lawsuit against the University for their Nonpayment of the staff members varied contributions, if the administration does not outline their plans to rectify this situation.to them by next Friday
According to her, the contributions which are not up to date as a result of the university’s nonpayment include National insurance Scheme (NIS), Pay As You Earn (PAYE), Credit Unions, as well as pension, insurance and health schemes
The non-payment of these contributions, she said have had negative impacts on their lives, livelihoods, and on their ability to receive benefits that we should have been receiving.
She related that staff members have gone to these places to be reimbursed and to withdraw money that they would have been saving and they were denied, because they were told that the university has not been remitting monies to them.
Dr. Ifill stated that they will write the UG administration to tell them that they want a clear outline of their plans for the staff members various contributions and when they will be paid.
She added that the university also has not been paying the staff members numerous allowances that are due to them, including leave passage and book allowances.
In order to reinforce their disgust and how tired they are of the situation, she said that they are going to be staging pickets’ everyday from Monday until Friday, which is the deadline for a response from the university.
According to her, if no response is received from the university, they will reassess the situation and take further action.
Insanitary Conditions
Dr. Ifill also outlined that since the campus continues to be in an extremely insanitary and deplorable condition, they will invite the occupational health and safety officer to scrutinize the campus and to pronounce on it.
She expressed confidence that if this is done, many departments and buildings will have to close or be urgently rehabilitated.
Bipartisan Approach
, Vice President of the UGSSA, Dr. Melissa Ifill called for a bipartisan approach to solving the problems facing the University of Guyana (UG), which has about 600 employees, representative of both academic and non academic staff.
Dr. Ifill maintained that UG is a national resource, and it is absolutely essential that the various political parties find common ground to resolve the issues which the academic institution is facing.
She pointed out that they had started a process where they engaged the parliamentary parties by signing a petition, asking for a review of the governance structure and statutes at UG to address the deficiencies in the composition and functioning of the council.
According to her, that process is proceeding apace, since they met with the parliamentary committee in late February of this where they made an oral presentation and they currently have their lawyers preparing a written presentation to hand to that committee.
Late Payment of Salaries
Dr. Ifill also informed that the universities administration advised staff on Thursday that salaries would not be paid on that day but that they expected to pay them by Tuesday June 25, 2013.
According to her that sparked spontaneous protest by the staff, since they agreed that they would proceed immediately on a sit in until they are paid.
She noted that they received a memo from the personnel officer yesterday stating that salaries would be available that day.
Dr. Ifill expressed frustration over this noting that it is not the first time that the staff members have not been paid in a timely manner. She added that very short notice is given of this, since they are informed on the same day that they are supposed to be paid.
She added that they have also agreed to stand in support of the part-time staff members, who they were advised have not been paid since February of this year.
According to her, the staff members have also agreed that they will be working to rule, since for too long they have gone above and beyond the call of duty and have been subsidizing the university in various ways.
Dr. Ifill stated that they will be fulfilling all of their contractual obligations but they will not be going the extra mile that the University has been accustomed to them going.
She added that they are also insisting that Vice chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi meet with the members of staff, something which he hasn’t done since his appointment, even though they have asked for such a meeting.
This meeting, she said, should be done to fully apprise them of the current situation and very importantly outline plans for the future.
Class action Lawsuit
She announced that they will be filing a class action lawsuit against the University for their Nonpayment of the staff members varied contributions, if the administration does not outline their plans to rectify this situation.to them by next Friday
According to her, the contributions which are not up to date as a result of the university’s nonpayment include National insurance Scheme (NIS), Pay As You Earn (PAYE), Credit Unions, as well as pension, insurance and health schemes
The non-payment of these contributions, she said have had negative impacts on their lives, livelihoods, and on their ability to receive benefits that we should have been receiving.
She related that staff members have gone to these places to be reimbursed and to withdraw money that they would have been saving and they were denied, because they were told that the university has not been remitting monies to them.
Dr. Ifill stated that they will write the UG administration to tell them that they want a clear outline of their plans for the staff members various contributions and when they will be paid.
She added that the university also has not been paying the staff members numerous allowances that are due to them, including leave passage and book allowances.
In order to reinforce their disgust and how tired they are of the situation, she said that they are going to be staging pickets’ everyday from Monday until Friday, which is the deadline for a response from the university.
According to her, if no response is received from the university, they will reassess the situation and take further action.
Insanitary Conditions
Dr. Ifill also outlined that since the campus continues to be in an extremely insanitary and deplorable condition, they will invite the occupational health and safety officer to scrutinize the campus and to pronounce on it.
She expressed confidence that if this is done, many departments and buildings will have to close or be urgently rehabilitated.
