THE Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) disclosed recently that after obtaining legal advice regarding the Arbitration Tribunal’s ruling in the matter of Skeldon Estate worker Daniel Stephen, who had an altercation with the Skeldon Estate Manager a few months ago and was consequently suspended from duty without pay, the Union has decided to take the matter to the courts for a determination.

“We remain convinced that our member (has been) unjustly penalised and is deserving of our full solidarity,” the GAWU president has said.

After reviewing reports from the parties involved, arbitrator Mohamed Akeel declared the tribunal closed and Stephen dismissed. This decision led a baffled GAWU to seek legal advice, which has culminated in the Union taking the matter to court.

MASSIVE STRIKE
The suspension of Stephen, some months ago, sparked a massive strike by the workers of the Skeldon Sugar Estate, stalling all operations at that entity.

Speaking in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle yesterday, GAWU President, Komal Chand disclosed that the matter has been taken to court and put forward before Chief Justice Ian Chang.
“Justice Chang, after reviewing the files presented to him by the parties involved, declared that the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. (GuySuCo) is prohibited from treating Stephen as summarily dismissed rather than as an employee suspended without pay, until the hearing and determination of a summons; in this cause, (it) is returnable for January 29, 2015 at 11:00am,” Chand said.

“Mohamed Akeel, the second named defendant, if (he) neglects to obey this order, will be liable to be penalised in a manner chosen by the Chief Justice,” Chand disclosed.

Chand said this now brings light to the decision made by the arbitrator, proving that it was wrong and uncalled for. Chand alluded to the fact that the arbitrator was not even authorised to make such a decision — dismissing the worker. He noted that “the arbitrator was supposed to review the suspension of the worker and make a decision on whether or not to extend the suspension or dissolve it.”

In closing his remarks, the GAWU president added that this issue has been lingering for quite some time now, and it is about time the issue is resolved in a manner that would suit all parties involved.