AS the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) continue in their tit-for-tat over the dismissal of Skeldon Estate worker, Daniel Stephen, the parties yesterday agreed to consult with a Third Party on the matter. 

Under the chairmanship of Labour Minister Dr. Nanda Gopaul, a Memorandum of Agreement between GuySuCo and GAWU was inked at a conciliatory meeting between the two bodies, which saw the following Terms of Reference forming the basis for the arbitration tribunal:
* “To enquire into the disciplinary action taken against Mr. Daniel Stephen and having regard to the evidence and submission by the parties to make an award as the arbitrator deems fit.
* The arbitrator shall be Mr. Mohamed Akeel.
* The cost of the tribunal shall be borne equally by the parties.
* The award of the tribunal shall be final and binding on the parties.
* The secretary of the tribunal shall be Mr. Dexter Semple, an Occupational Safety and Health Officer.
The sole arbitrator, Mr Mohamed Akeel, is the former Chief Labour Officer at the Labour Ministry.
The document, which the Guyana Chronicle has seen, was signed by the GuySuCo team: Human Services Director, Mr Jairam Petam; Chief Industrial Relations Manager, Mr Deodat James Sukhu; and Industrial Relations Officer, Mr Tulsiram Seulall.
GAWU President, Mr Komal Chand; General Secretary, Mr Seepaul Narine; and Shop Steward, M. McBean signed as part of the GAWU team. The document was countersigned by Chief Labour Officer, Mr Charles Ogle.
The industrial dispute, according to a Labour Ministry release, arose when disciplinary action was taken by GuySuCo after an employee attached to the Skeldon estate “was accused of hitting a manager.”
The tribunal, which meets on Friday, will enquire into the disciplinary action taken against Stephen, where the evidence and submission by the parties will come under scrutiny as an award is determined.
A decision will be taken by the arbitrator where both parties have agreed in the Memorandum of Agreement that it will be binding.