Dear Editor,
REFERENCE is made to the news story on page seven (7) of the Guyana Chronicle edition of April 19, 2016, entitled “105 workers opted for severance, not fired – GuySuCo raps GAWU”.

The article went on to say: “GAWU has alleged…105 workers were fired”. Premised on an allegation, the article then quoted GuySuCo, which said in a statement: “this release by GAWU is the epitome of GAWU mischievousness, and can be construed as being provocative…”
The truth is that GAWU has not ever said or written that 105 workers have been fired from Wales Estate.

GAWU and NAACIE, through their press statement of April 14, 2016, referred to: “105 workers are to be made redundant”, which is identical to what GuySuCo wrote to the Union on March 22, 2016, in which it said: “105 workers would be made redundant”.

With someone from either GuySuCo or the Chronicle substituting “fired” for “redundant” (GuySuCo), in turn, has taken objection and, true to form, pointed an accusing finger at GAWU. The Union considers this as mischievous and deceptive.

With the clarity offered, the Union is expecting a public correction by GuySuCo. Also, the GAWU is calling on the Board or the proper body in GuySuCo to assess those who make media releases, which are unfounded and which embarrass the leadership at the helm of the Corporation, which is beset by persistent troubles.

The Chronicle, in the story, also stated that: “The Wales Estate will not be closed, GuySuCo said in its attempt to set the record straight”. Aren’t the non-operation of the Wales Sugar Factory and a cessation of cane cultivation a closure of the Estate? GuySuCo is seemingly embarking on some type of acrobatics regarding the positions -– the closure of Wales Estate and “the Wales Estate will not be closed”.

It is worthy to note that the Corporation failed to inform the public why it keeps violating the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act, which requires that it interacts directly with officials of the Union about the workers who are identified for redundancy, etc.
Yours faithfully,
SEEPAUL NARINE
General Secretary: GAWU