THE Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has warned the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) that if protest action continues, it could spell a grim Christmas for sugar workers and their families. According to the corporation, workers have lost millions in basic wages and incentives as a consequence of the recent three-day strike called by GAWU.

Previously, the corporation had given as its reason for not yet going to the bargaining table that government, GuySuCo’s shareholder, had not yet considered the Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the state and future of the sugar industry.
The sugar company noted that on Friday, October 30, 2015, the Chief Executive Officer of GuySuCo, Mr. Errol Hanoman expressed the Corporation’s disappointment at the recent strike action. He informed the union that it was never the Corporation’s intention not to commence negotiations of its 2015 wage proposals. He reiterated that the Corporation was awaiting advice on the way forward for the industry after government considered the report and recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI).
He informed the union that having received a record high bailout from the government, a road map for the future of the industry was crucial and the CoI was expected to recommend a basis for such a plan. He indicated that government is supportive of the sugar industry and its people and is keen to consider any plan that would ensure its survival and sustainability. He felt the union and workers have a critical role to play in the question of survival and sustainability.
The CEO emphasised that there will be negotiations but we have a “chicken and egg” situation. Wage negotiation before the road map or the road map before negotiation? He informed the union that both will happen.
Tremendous goodwill was built up over the past few weeks as the industry surpassed its production targets. Errol Hanoman cautioned the union and its delegates against the loss of this goodwill which would accompany protest action at this time.
He appealed to the union, the representatives and the workers to get on with the task of taking off the crop and completing the tillage and planting programmes. He exhorted them to set the scene for a successful end of 2015 and a successful 2016.
“Let us not be hasty. There will be negotiations, just not today,” he said, as he called on all to focus their energies on a good outcome in the evolving road map for the industry.
He advised that negotiations would commence as soon as GuySuCo is in a position to do so. GAWU wants a nine per cent increase in wages and salaries. The union said it would be meeting on November 7 to discuss this latest development. GAWU’s President Komal Chand has already said he would not rule out another strike.
GuySuCo’s annual wage and salary bill is more than 60 per cent of already declining revenues coupled with low production and high production costs and low world market prices for the sweetener.