RUSAL, union hold talks
RUSAL executives meet with  Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams, and Minister with responsibility for Labour, Keith Scott, in the presence of Russia’s Ambassador Nikolay Smirnov
RUSAL executives meet with Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams, and Minister with responsibility for Labour, Keith Scott, in the presence of Russia’s Ambassador Nikolay Smirnov

-govt pushing for early settlement of bitter dispute

After years of strained relations top officials of the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc/Russian Aluminium (RUSAL) and the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) were expected to meet over the weekend to craft a way forward in resolving an eight-year-old industrial dispute.

This decision was taken after close to two hours of deliberations with the Government and the company executives on Friday at Parliament Buildings. The meeting Guyana Chronicle was told is for the union and company to work out their differences. Minutes after the closed-door meeting ended on Friday at the Public Buildings, Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection with responsibility for Labour, Keith Scott, told media operatives: “There is light at the end of the tunnel,” as he alluded to the issue which continues to infringe on the rights of Guyanese workers attached to the bauxite company operating here in Region 10.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, was also at the meeting. In 2009, more than 50 employees of the Russian-owned bauxite company had their services terminated following strike action for increased wages and better working conditions. The company’s decision was, however, met with major objection by the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU), which had garnered the support of then opposition parties, primarily the People’s National Congress/Reform (PNCR) and the Alliance For Change (AFC). But instead of adhering to calls by the GB&GWU to have the workers reinstated, the company took a decision to terminate the Collective Labour Agreement (CLA) with the GB&GWU, and has since de-recognised the union.

Though the battle has been long and hard-fought, the union continues to maintain its position that the company is operating in violation of the labour laws of the country and the rights of workers.
The problem resurfaced just recently when the company refused to sign on to an agreement crafted by the Social Protection Ministry, because the document had given recognition to the union as a signatory to the pact. The agreement would have paved the way for the bauxite workers to benefit from tax-free overtime.
Instead of signing on to the agreement crafted by the Social Protection Ministry, RUSAL drew up its own Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and dispatched a copy to Finance Minister Winston Jordan, thereby disregarding the Minister with responsibility for Labour. However, Minister Jordan did not respond to the RUSAL letter. “I told them that they did not show me the necessary respect by giving me that letter,” Minister Scott told the Guyana Chronicle.

NO FAULT OF GOV’T
Minister Scott said RUSAL workers had complained that while workers attached to Bosai Minerals Group Guyana Inc. (BMGGI) are enjoying tax-free overtime, they are yet to benefit. But the minister said this is no fault of the Government. He explained that it was the union which had refused to sign on to the agreement.
The tax-free concession on overtime work was implemented in 1988. This concession was enjoyed by workers up until 2007, when it was taken away by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Administration in a move that had adversely affected the earnings of bauxite workers from Linden and Kwakwani, and was viewed by critics as a punitive act for not supporting the PPP.

In addition to agreeing to meet with the union, RUSAL is requesting a meeting with the Finance Minister to determine the way forward. However, although agreeing to the meet with the Bauxite Workers Union, the Russian-owned company is requesting that another poll be conducted to possibly give rise to another union representing the workers. That new body would need the votes of 40 per cent of the workers attached to the company in order to defeat the traditional bauxite workers’ union.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that during the meeting, the Attorney General, while advocating for the matter to be resolved, made it clear that the APNU+AFC Administration will not allow any disrespect for the labour laws governing the country, emphasising that workers’ rights must be respected.
The Attorney General reportedly made that statement in response to RUSAL’s refusal to recognise the Bauxite Workers Union. No stranger to the labour issue, having represented GB&GWU in court when the issue had initially erupted, Minister Williams reportedly advised that RUSAL put its proposals forward on how the matter could be resolved. He reportedly contends that there is no need for the company to engage in a back-and-forth of who is right and wrong.

While the Guyana Chronicle was able to solicit a comment from Minister Scott, Minister Williams was unable to provide a comment; the executive members representing RUSAL declined to speak to the media, explaining that written questions must be submitted first before a response is granted.
The RUSAL executives were accompanied by Russia’s Ambassador to Guyana, His Excellency Nikolay Smirnov.

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