WITHIN recent weeks, the industrial relations climate, to even the casual observer, is giving rise to concern. There have been strikes in the sugar industry, Georgetown Mayor and City Council, and Demerara Timbers Limited (DTL).Workers in the sugar industry are represented primarily by the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE). These unions — together with the Guyana Labour Union (GLU), which represents a sector of the workers — have close association with the PPP/C. Though some may argue with a degree of correctness that strikes within the sugar industry are a norm, and under the APNU+AFC Administration may have political motivation, given the unions’ history under PNC administrations, the current situation cannot be ignored.

In the City Council, the workers have struck against continuous late payment of their wages and salaries. A council that has been attracting much press within recent times, more notably on its management style and reports of being cash-strapped, has to be mindful of the negative perception it is courting. Where workers gave of their labour, they are expected to be rewarded, consistent with their contract of employment.

On a positive note, it is heartening to know that workers are now being paid. At the same time, it need not be ignored that non-payment brought disruption of service, as seen with the strike. There are also occupational stressors such as inattention to work and workers being pre-occupied with wanting to know how they are going to meet theirs and family expenses, and needs outside of the workplace.

In this economy, like every economy, persons have financial commitments to meet. And where the major source of income comes from wages or salaries, it is not only unconscionable to delay or deny this, for such actions have implications for the quality of service delivered; performance at work; and ripple effects of meeting financial obligations, personal and societal. It therefore becomes important in attending to the matter of wages and salaries to always factor in the stated consequences.

It is noticed that Carvil Duncan, General Secretary of the GLU, a union that represents some council workers, had joined the picket line. His presence, in light of a fraud case before the court calling for him to resign from constitutional bodies, and recent outburst that he will not resign these positions, should not give any cause to be distracted from the seriousness of what is taking place at the Council.
Simultaneously, the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) and Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) are expressing dissatisfaction with the way the employer, i.e. the Government of Guyana, is handling industrial relations’ issues pertaining to them. In both cases, the Government is being accused of showing little or no regard for the Collective Bargaining process.

President David Granger, in a recent Public Interest broadcast, said the negotiations between the Government and GPSU will continue. The President further stated that Government would negotiate conditions of employment for teachers as a separate issue, clearing the air of any confusion or misunderstanding that may have arisen that teachers would have the same benefits as workers represented by GPSU. This assurance notwithstanding, where perception — real or contrived — continues to exist to the contrary, it ought to be addressed.

On Wednesday, October 5, “World Teachers Day”, the GTU held a press conference to address what the union said is a death to the importance of the day, and carried a black flag as a symbol of this. The union is concerned about the value of educators in light of the Ministry of Education’s decision, absent their input, to break with custom and practice of honouring the day.

Currently, there is the conflict between the GAWU and DTL, where workers struck, which is an act the Guyana Constitution allows, and the management chose to dismiss some. This situation is reminiscent of what the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated did in 2009 to workers who struck, a matter that remains outstanding seven years hence. The DTL situation makes it a second occurrence, and this does bode well for the Laws of Guyana, governance, and the industrial relations climate. Two weeks ago, trade unions from within the Guyana Trades Union Congress and the Federation of Independent Trades Union of Guyana met and engaged in discussions on the industrial relations climate, citing concerns. The group requested to meet with President Granger to discuss matters of Labour’s interests. This maybe is what is needed at this time, given dialogue has always proven essential to development, stable relations, and resolving conflicts.