THE third triennial delegates’ conference of the Clerical and Commercial Workers Union (CCWU) was declared open on Saturday by Minister of Labour, Dr Nanda Gopaul at the Hotel Tower, Main Street, Georgetown.

The conference also marked the 65th anniversary of the CCWU and is the highest decision-making forum of the union. It was held this year under the theme: “Repositioning and strengthening our role as the workers’ voice in this changing working environment.”
Delivering the feature address, Dr Gopaul outlined the rich history of the CCWU and stressed that the trade union movement has relevance and importance even while some may argue that it has become irrelevant in today’s world of globalisation and competitiveness.
“Without the trade union movement we will not be able to protect workers interest and have that policing of workers’ rights,” he remarked.
“It is in the interest of the union movement to work steadfastly with management to promote harmonious industrial relations and development of both the workers and the conditions which workers work…bringing profitability to the entities,” he said.
Gopaul also alluded to those entities which refuse to recognise the union. He noted that some unions are languishing for recognition, continuing to meet and talk with employers, while they continue to receive dues from the workers. However, he emphasised that it is important that the relationship be recognised.
He related that the Labour Ministry has been attempting to address this issue, but has met some degree of resistance on technical grounds.
“The Recognition Board is saying that it has to go through the process because a section of the Recognition Act was amended. I hope that we will be able to improve that issue so that industrial relations can be obtained at a peaceful level and at a level where tranquility prevails,” he explained.
The minister further pointed out that a major area of concern to the government and the Labour Ministry is that of the remuneration of some under-privileged workers, where trade union recognition does not exist.
It is in this interest, he said, that the government has introduced an increased minimum wage of $35,000 monthly and a stipulated five-day or 40-hour work week for all workers in Guyana with effect from July 1 this year.
In addition, he pointed out that Guyana has also ratified the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Convention for Domestic Workers, for the benefit of that category of workers.
Gopaul called upon the union to mobilise workers in the garment sector, whom he said need union representation. He noted that workers in this sector have numerous concerns as he is constantly receiving complaints from them, but they lack representation.
“The trade union movement will have to assist the Ministry of Labour in monitoring the situation, and bring cases of violations so we can address them,” he said.
The minister stated that quite a lot has been accomplished for workers since the November 2011 elections and assured that the government will continue to work in the interest of workers.
“The unions will have to be vigilant to ensure that they continue to address the concerns of workers. The government, as a working-class government, will listen to union concerns and we will work together as partners in the development process,” he stressed.
According to him, the government has an agenda for labour, and the Occupational Health and Safety Act will be used as a vehicle to promote safety in  workplaces.
He noted that mining regulations have been recently approved at cabinet level and several other pieces of legislation, that will complement the Occupational Health and Safety Act, such as for the forestry sector and the construction industry, are in draft stages.
Meanwhile, senior vice-president of the union, Ms. Kim Halley, acting in the capacity of president, outlined the role of the trade union in modern society.
She stated that the trade union movement and the CCWU in particular is required to draw from its experiences in the past and garner its resources, human and otherwise, to deliver on behalf of its members.
“The modern trade union has to seek to address every issue at the workplace while putting measures in place to influence the decisions that are made in the respective communities, since they impact on the lives of our members,” she asserted.
Halley further noted that women and youth both have important roles to play in the trade union movement, which must be recognised.
She stressed that any trade union that considers its continuity has to develop a comprehensive organising programme by first strengthening its existing and traditional base, and then by moving outside of what currently exists, to bring new bargaining units onboard.
As such, she disclosed that the CCWU will commence an aggressive organising programme to bring on board the major fast food outlets, supermarkets, hotels and banks in the country.
At the opening session of the delegates’ conference, three companies were recognised by the CCWU for outstanding contributions to industrial relations with the union for the welfare and advancement of its workers.
These companies were Sterling Products Limited; the Guyana and Trinidad Mutual (GTM) Group of Insurance Companies Limited and the New GPC Inc.
In addition, individual union representative and groups also received certificates for outstanding contributions to the union and its work.
The business session of the conference was held yesterday at Clerico House on Quamina Street, Georgetown. Among the items on the agenda for the business session were the general secretary’s report presented by Ms. Ann Anderson and the Financial Statement by the Assistant Treasurer, Ms. Verita Smith.
In addition, elections of the executive committee and trustees were also conducted.