THE Guyana Bauxite and General Workers’ Union (GB&GW), on behalf of the workers of the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI), handed over a counter proposal to Russian Aluminum Inc. (RUSAL) on Sunday for “parity in the bauxite industry” when it comes to wages and salaries.

The counter proposal comes as the Union and RUSAL are in the process of negotiating the clauses of a Collective Labour Agreement (CLA).

On Sunday, GB&GW General Secretary, Lincoln Lewis, confirmed that the counter proposal was dispatched. “We have, today, sent off a counter proposal to what the company has put to us…we believe that it is necessary; we believe in what we’re doing to be just and fair in making sure that the rights of workers are protected. We do not want anything to be done that denies workers of their rights and freedom, so whatever we’ve put in there is guided by that principle,” he told Guyana Chronicle.

While Lewis did not disclose the content of the proposal but said that GB&GW and representatives of BCGI worked on the document for a number of days and stand firm that its content is “just and fair”.

“The workers are eager to have a resolution on this matter,” he said.
The fallout on the matter began mid-February when employees of RUSAL, the major partner in BCGI, protested against the company’s imposition of a one per cent wage increase.

The employees also protested against other grievances such as unsafe working conditions.
Subsequent to the strike, BCGI issued an edict evicting a number of workers and their families from Maple Town, Aroaima, a residential community owned by the company, while some 90 workers were fired.

In March 2019, the workers were rehired with the signing of a Terms of Resumption [TOR] which would also see RUSAL and GB&GW meeting continuously, to negotiate a new CLA.

Currently, the two sides are discussing non-monetary matters such as settlement of disputes; leave of absence; probationary and casual employee; lay-off and recall; temporary transfer; discipline; issues regarding seniority and more.

Altogether, they have agreed on 15 out of the 52 clauses of the Collective Labour Agreement (CLA).

The two sides will meet again this week to continue deliberations on the outstanding clauses and will also receive feedback from RUSAL on the counter proposal presented.
Should the GB&GW and RUSAL come to an impasse, the next step to be pursued would be conciliation and, should this fail, arbitration will commence.