STAFFERS of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Monday mounted a protest outside the GGMC building, Brickdam, over the issue of a salary and wage increase for workers which has been outstanding since last year. Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Industrial Relations Officer of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), Jermaine Hermanstine, stated that the management of GGMC had failed the employees of GGMC once again.

He said that negotiations between members of the union and the heads of GGMC for an increase in salaries and wages have been going on since 2013.
Recently at a board meeting, members of the union issued an ultimatum to the board asking for a 35% increase to their salaries and wages and have since been awaiting a response from the heads of GGMC.
AT LEAST 15%

Hermanstine noted that if GGMC can’t make adjustments for the 35%, they can at least give a 15% increase.
He added GGMC has no excuse to decline the requests by the workers because they have already exceeded their projected target for the year in terms of income.
He noted that there are also other issues that have been quite disturbing to employees, but he did not wish to disclose these at this time.
Hermanstine stated that as a result of this “prolonged tomfoolery”, they have decided to take industrial action in order to ensure that the works at the GGMC cannot progress until the needs of the employees have been met.
Efforts to make contact with the Head of GGMC for a response to this situation have been futile.