Dear Editor
I read with much pleasure the efforts of the Aurora employees to be a part of a union; this is commendable, both their efforts, as it is their right as enshrined in the constitution of Guyana and the efforts of the company to foster what now seems obvious, the enabling environment for such development and it seems as if their efforts have been widely supported by most employees.

My happiness for this development, however, is tempered by what seems to be an apparent disconnect, as the union is claiming that the Ministry of Labour through the Trade Union Recognition Board has been communicating with them as the company is complaining that they have been kept out.

This does not augur well for the budding relationship. Usually the Ministry would invite both parties and share the outcome of their survey and the process in determining the final position. Following this, the ministry would then issue the Certificate of Recognition to both parties. However it seems that this was not done and the suspicions are encouraged to grow between the company and the union when that was absolutely unnecessary.

I read also that the union leader was stating that now that his union has gained recognition for the Aurora employees the union will send in to have union dues deducted and to deal with the many issues of the employees. I am surprised that the Ministry of Labour or the Trade Union Recognition Board did not spend some time explaining to the union that recognition is just about the first step and that following this achievement the union must submit its proposals for the negotiations of a Collective Labour Agreement. As I understand it, unless there is a CLA, there could be no other major movement. A CLA is the guide book that establishes the process and procedures to be followed both administratively, how both the Management and the Union should function and the dos and don’ts and in the Avoidance and Settlement of disputes. Then it sets out the conditions of employment including other monetary and non-monetary benefits. There are other aspects including the agreement on the collection and deduction of union dues. It’s not automatic.

Whilst all of this is going on the union must set up its local branches and ensure shop stewards and other local branch executives are in place with whom the company shall relate to. These would be also set out in the administrative aspects of the CLA and should be followed.

So it appears there is work to be done by the Ministry of Labour and the Union should tamper down expectations. Usually the parties can agree to apply certain agreements which are arrived at during the negotiations or wait until everything is agreed. That’s a decision of the parties.

Mr. Editor, it is with mixed emotions that I end this letter but with lingering hope that the transparency will prevail and the right decisions will be delivered to the benefit of the workers in the final outcome.

Regards
Concerned Citizen