Submitted by the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU)

On Wednesday September 22, 2010 the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) issued a five-day ultimatum to Oldendorff Carrier to proceed on industrial action if the company refuses to come to the bargaining table with an appropriate proposal. The ultimatum expires on September 27 and the notice was duly issued consistent with Article 6:3 of the Collective Labour Agreement.

The Union and company have been locked in negotiation for increased wages and improve working conditions for year 2010, since June. After the parties failed to reach an agreement, the union wrote the Ministry of Labour requesting conciliation under its chairmanship. At the meeting on September 15 Oldendorff informed the union and ministry that its presence was one of courtesy since the union has no right to bring the matter before the ministry. This prompted the ministry to advice the company that base on the Collective Labour Agreement the union has every right to request conciliation.

Yesterday, September 23, the company informed the union that it will not negotiate. The position is contrary to the Collective Labour of Agreement which explicitly states that wages will be negotiated and a re-commitment to such negotiation given by the company on July 7.

Oldendorff has a track recording of reneging on agreements, exploiting workers and violating labour laws. The company refuses to account to workers on their pay-slips how many hours worked, how many normal hours and overtime hours, and hourly rate of pay; and for months has refused to comply with the request by the union to record the information on the pay-slips consistent with the laws. Workers are yet to be paid their bonus for 2009 and the company refuses to discuss the non-payment.

GB&GWU is concerned with the way foreign companies can set up business in Guyana and think they can disrespect local workers and our labour laws. These acts are not only violation of local laws but also International Labour Conventions that every employer, local and multinational, is bound to obey.

In the meanwhile the Union continues to prosecute the case of the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc (BCGI) workers. On Wednesday, the Union’s United Kingdom representative, Bro. Norman Browne met with Cde. Luwezi Kinshasa, Secretary-General, African Socialist International (ASI) to brief him on the 11-month old impasse and the discrimination meted out against bauxite workers and their communities. The impasse was also discussed at the recently held conference of the British Trades Union Congress where solidarity was expressed with the union and workers.

At home the Union continues to hold the Minister of Labour to his June 18 commitment to the Geneva based International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers’ Unions (ICEM) to convene a meeting between itself and BCGI. GB&GWU has been advised that efforts are being made to facilitate such a process but will not relent until the status quo (normalcy) is returned.

The Union remains committed to the workers’ cause and will leave no stone unturned in its pursuit for justice and equality.