— call on RUSAL to take steps to end workers’ strike

LOGGERS in the Upper Berbice River, Region 10, are losing millions of dollars as the long-haul strike by RUSAL workers, which includes the blocking of the river, continues.

The loggers are calling on RUSAL to sign on to the agreement which the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers’ Union (GBGW) proposes, so that the river can be cleared, earliest.
The Guyana Chronicle was able to contact two loggers who said the issue lies with RUSAL, which needs to come to an amicable agreement with the bauxite union.

Ford (only name given), the owner of a logging concession up the Berbice River, said he is losing hundreds of thousands daily, since his timber is stranded and cannot be transported to clients who have already made orders.

“I am hoping that this matter is solved so that the entire place can go back to normalcy; myself and other loggers are affected, nothing can go out nothing can come in,” he said, during a telephone interview.

Ford noted that items such as food and fuel have to be transported via small boats and their services are very costly. Ford said he understands the situation facing the workers and supports their stand, but is hoping something happens earliest.

An official of Rong-An- Inc timber company, who requested anonymity, said the company’s barge with timber reached Aroaima on March 5 and has since been stalled.

This, the official said, has seriously affected the company’s operations since the timber is for export, as well as for local buyers. The company is also operating in the Upper Berbice River and estimated its losses at $2 million per day, since some 100 workers are affected.

The official noted that a managerial team engaged RUSAL employee Ephraim Velloza, who is also the president representing RUSAL workers on the issue and was told that unless RUSAL signs on to their agreements of reinstatement, the river will remain blocked.

Velloza noted that he understands the plight of the loggers and is hoping that by Tuesday, the situation will be laid to rest when RUSAL meets with the union again.
RUSAL and the GBGWU are to hold another round of talks on Tuesday, since no agreement on reinstatement of workers was made at last Friday’s talks.

General-Secretary of the union, Lincoln Lewis, said RUSAL managers which include company representative in Guyana, Permyakov Vladimir; Personnel Manager, Mikhail Krupenin; and Labour Adviser, Mohamed Akeel, said they will give a response on Tuesday to the terms of reinstatement of the 90 workers.

At Maple Town, Aroaima, the strike continues and workers too are hoping that the general manager on Tuesday places his signature to their proposals of reinstatement. In the interim, RUSAL continues to operate with a skeleton staff.