GUYANA Power and Light Inc. (GPL) said yesterday that it wished to set the record straight in response to a recent publication carried on December 10, 2014, captioned, “NAACIE urges GPL workers to prepare for struggle against imposed wages”.In a GPL press release yesterday, the power company said: “Let us begin with the incontrovertible facts (pardon the redundancy, but it is intended to emphasise). Guyana Power & Light Inc. (GPL) has two separate and distinct collective labour agreements: one with the National Association of Agricultural Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), and the other with Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU).”

GPL noted that NAACIE represents non-managerial staff, whilst GPSU represents managerial staff. These are two distinct and separate categories of staff, each with its own level of responsibility and accountability.
The collective labour agreements expired since December 2003. GPL has submitted proposals to both Unions to re-negotiate the terms and conditions of the agreements and invited the parties to enter negotiations, but neither Union appears inclined to do so.
Indeed, between October 2013 and August 2014, GPL has written to NAACIE and GPSU twelve times inviting them to commence negotiations, including negotiations for wages and salaries. Both Unions refused to attend meetings, GPL said.
The Unions have proposed to enter into joint negotiations with GPL. They have proffered not a single valid or commonsense argument in support of their argument. However, GPL has rejected the proposal based on the following:
SEPARATE AGREEMENTS
GPL has distinct and separate Collective Bargaining Agreements with each of the two Unions;
Each Union has distinct certificates of recognition as sole bargaining agents for different categories of workers at GPL;
GPL has in the past negotiated separately with the two Unions and there is nothing in the existing collective labour agreements with the Unions, or in law, to require GPL to agree to joint negotiations.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The power company has considered the arguments put forward by the Unions in their demand for joint negotiations and finds them to be without substance or merit. Non-managerial and management staff negotiating jointly for salaries and wages will likely engender conflicts of interest.
On October 30, 2014 GPL received a notice of ultimatum from both Unions giving the company one month’s notice that they will take the necessary actions they see fit, if the Company does not agree to joint negotiations to take place between the two Unions and GPL.
Following the ultimatum, the Ministry of Labour intervened, as a conciliator. Two meetings were held at the Ministry and both Unions and GPL presented their respective arguments. The Chief Labour Officer declared the matter deadlocked.
GPL once again pleaded with the Unions and invited them, yet again, on December 9, 2014 to commence negotiations. Mr. Kenneth Joseph, General Secretary of NAACIE, agreed verbally that his Union will commence negotiations on 9th December, 2014.
“Lo and behold, representatives of GPSU turned up at the meeting. This was contrary to the letter, spirit and understanding of our letter of invitation to NAACIE and the verbal telephone conversation between our HR Director, Mr. Balgobin Parsaud and Mr. Joseph. We expressed our continued desire to start negotiations, but that GPSU representatives would not be permitted to be present during the negotiations. NAACIE refused and left,” the release stated.
“We reiterate our call to enter separate negotiations with NAACIE and GPSU and will strongly encourage them to participate early so that our staff can be paid in time for the holidays,” GPL concluded.