SOME University of Guyana (UG) employees staged the first day of an intended week long picketing exercise, yesterday. It was organised by the UG Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) and the UG Workers’ Union (UGWU), to protest a number of issues faced by both academic and non-academic staffers.
UG Public Relations Officer (PRO), Ms. Paulette Paul confirmed, by telephone, that the exercise was in keeping with an indication given by representatives of the organisations at a press conference last Friday.
On that occasion, the UGSSA and the UGWU had outlined several concerns and announced steps that would be taken to ensure that their concerns are properly addressed by the Administration.
Vice-President of UGSSA, Dr. Melissa Ifill had disclosed that they would be staging pickets every day until Friday, which is the deadline for an ultimatum given to the University.
She said, if no response is received from UG by then, the situation will be reassessed and further action taken.

LATE PAYMENT
Meanwhile, one of the irritants raised was late payment. Staffers were due to receive salaries last Thursday but were told, that very day, they would not be paid.
However, Paul advised that they were, since, in receipt of their emoluments last Friday.
She said, though, that the protesters intend to continue demonstrating with pickets, during their lunch breaks daily, until Friday, because there are still some unsolved questions.
One of the main complaints is about the non-payment of staff members’ contributions to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), Pay As You Earn (PAYE), Credit Unions, pension, insurance and health schemes.
Ifill had also threatened that a class action lawsuit will be filed against UG if the administration does not outline its plans to rectify the situation by Friday.