Submitted by Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (29 Dec 2010)

Today the Guyana Bauxite & General Workers Union (GB&GWU) turned up to a scheduled meeting at the Ministry of Labour. The ministry had initiated this meeting for the Union and the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc (BCGI) to meet to address a number of issues, including the dismissal of the 57 workers in 2009 and the five in 2010.  The meeting which was to be chaired by Mr. Charles Ogle, Assistant Chief Labour Officer, who was present, saw non attendance of the company’s representatives. In a letter seen by the GB&GWU’s representatives the company said that the Collective Labour Agreement (CLA) between itself and union has come to an end so it does not consider the ministry’s invitation to a meeting as valid.

It should be clearly stated that even though a collective labour agreement may be expired, while there still exists a Recognition Agreement, a company/employer is legally bound to engage with the union. GB&GWU has so informed the Ministry and has dispatched a letter (see attached) to the company highlighting its legal obligation. The expiration of a CLA has nothing to do with engagement between the parties, it is merely an excuse to avoid the legal obligation to engage, following on a pattern since December 2009 even though there exists a Recognition Agreement that legally binds the party. The Trade Union Recognition Act (98:07) Section 23. (1) ‘Compulsory recognition and duty to treat’ expressly states “Where a trade union obtains a certificate of recognition for workers comprised in a bargaining unit in accordance with this Part, the employer shall recognise the union, and the union and the employer shall bargain in good faith and enter into negotiations with each other for the purpose of collective bargaining.”

The absence of the company today, who on December 1, 2009, informed the government and union that it has, with immediate effect, terminated the CLA is deserving of an explanation from the government who has done little or anything to ensure the workers’ right to freedom of association and the right of the union as the bargaining agent for these workers at BCGI, be enforced.

The Union is also of the opinion that the company is not only playing the discriminatory politics of the Guyana Government but is also being misadvised by the former Chief Labour Officer, Mr. Mohamed Akeel, who is fully aware of the violations of the Law but for a few pennies is prepared to facilitate the lawlessness.

GB&GWU notes the public affirmation of President Jagdeo of a union that will not be de-recognised under his watch when he learnt that the Guyana Sugar Corporation threatened de-recognition of the Guyana Agriculture and General Workers Union (GAWU), yet he remains silent and in fact give tactic support to BCGI’s one-year illegal action. The disparity in treatment by this government of bauxite workers vis a vis sugar, who over the years are part of productive section, is glaring. GB&GWU refuses to believe that BCGI, a company that is owned by Russian Alumina and the Government of Guyana, can abuse bauxite workers in this manner without the support of the government. There is no law in our country that allows a company to de-recognise a union. Though the government has knowledge of this it has done nothing to ensure the laws are respected for bauxite workers.

GB&GWU strongly holds the view that there exists collusion between the company and government to play a cat and mouse game with the union in the hope that it would grow weary of the struggle and give up (at the august meeting the ministry was a no show). In doing so the government is ignoring facts such as: bauxite workers have perfect attendance and performance records, traverse to work over harsh terrain, work for long hours under dangerous and hazardous conditions, removing hundreds of tonnes of overburden to get to the mineral which oftentimes take them away from their loved ones for days. They make the sacrifices to earn their living and inspite of the grueling conditions they show up to work at the crack of dawn or the fall of dust. Bauxite workers have moved and continue to move the engine of production of this country, shoulder the weight of their responsibilities and have not been a burden to the taxpayers.

In November workers were forced to protest conditions under which their meals were prepared and the use of expired food items in the preparation of same. Even after management investigated the complaints and agreed to the charges made by the workers, they turned around and fired five workers for speaking out.

Bauxite workers seek no favour, handouts nor political allegiance. As citizens and taxpayers of this country they demand their rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining, something this government seems bent on not respecting. It is under this government the conditions of bauxite workers have drastically deteriorated, decisions made for the industry without their input, pension plans and other benefit schemes destroyed without the workers input, yet you see the resilience of a people who refuse to give up, kneel or be mendicants, qualities this government find discomforting.

In the meanwhile GB&GWU takes note of the publicised news that the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) and Government of Guyana have partnered with the Guyanese Chinese Community to ensure “non-discriminatory and discretionary treatment” toward this group. These are laudable efforts of a tax receiving government who should be governing in the interests of all and that of a similar tax receiving commission established to promote and ensure ethnic respect and equality for all. Attention is draw to the fact that this act is not universal either on the part of the ERC or government, given the ethnic discrimination that pervades the society and more so the BGCI’s continued disrespect towards bauxite workers and their union and the refusal of the ERC since January to respond to the union’s request for a public enquiry into discrimination against bauxite workers because of their race, geography and perceived political allegiance.

December 29 is another sad day for the people of Guyana. It is another hurdle in the rugged road to equality, justice and fair play. The struggle continues and struggle we will until justice is served!

GTUC writes CARICOM about Mr. Carl Greenidge’s right to work after December 31, 2010

The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) has communicated its concern to the CARICOM Secretariat about Mr. Carl Greenidge’s right to work and continued employment as Senior Deputy Director in the Office of Trade Negotiations after December 31. In a letter signed by General Secretary, Mr. Lincoln Lewis and dated December 28, addressed to CARICOM General Secretary (ag) Ms. Lolita Applewaithe and copied to CARICOM Chairman, the Hon. Prime Minister Bruce Golding of Jamaica, the Congress registered its concerns that, it is of the view that the appointment of Mr. Carl Greenidge should not be revoked on the grounds that funding is not available, which, to our minds, and to the majority of peoples in the CARICOM region is dictated with a view of satisfying the political dictates of the Guyana Government, on a question that is not of its making but that of the very Government of Guyana. The CARICOM Secretariat should not be complicit in the internal political machinations of its host state, and to respond to its not so subtle direction to dispense with the experience and expertise of one of its most qualified experts in trade negotiations, without more substantial evidence of professional wrongdoing.

The Congress advised the Secretary General (ag) that it has read and considered the explanation given by the outgoing CARICOM Secretary General, Mr. Edwin Carrington, to wit, that Mr. Greenidge continued service is dependent on, “What happens beyond [December 3, and] depends on if there are resources” that appeared in the Guyana independent dailies, Kaieteur News and Stabroek News, December 18, 2010. That CARICOM now seeks to  claim that funds are not available to maintain the services of a senior, proficient representative of a team that is involved in  highly critical negotiations whose success will have far reaching consequences and benefits for the entire Caribbean region, exposes itself to be questioned as to whether its explanation is reflective of the seriousness and importance that it attaches to the business and functions of  the Office of Trade Negotiations- an office which falls within the purview of the CARICOM Secretariat, in negotiating trade agreements to protect the interests of the Caribbean people.

GTUC thinks CARICOM’s explanation seems to be a deliberate action to avoid addressing both the popular and considered conclusion that the Government of Guyana diktat has invaded the corridors of the CARICOM Secretariat beyond those established rules that the Charter permits, to influence the involuntary departure of Mr. Greenidge.

The statement in reference quotes Mr. Greenidge: saying, “I share Winston’s belief that notwithstanding the trauma of the last few decades Guyana can, with visionary leadership, be lifted from this nightmare in which it finds itself. And I want to offer the same comment, I dare say, he would have proffered to those who are left traumatized by this turn of events.” This statement which prompted the Guyana’s government instruction to CARICOM was merely Mr. Greenidge’s tribute to his fallen colleague and when put in context revealed the anguished of a man expressing the thoughts and passion of a fallen comrade. Are people to believe that by the action of the Government of Guyana, and CARICOM that every Guyanese who work with Regional institutions of CARICOM, including its Secretariat, are not allowed to express a different point of view, on any question as a matter of fact, from that of the Government of Guyana or admire/embrace dissimilar position(s) articulated by functionaries outside of the Government? Is CARICOM suggesting that there will be zero tolerance for alternative views? Will fear now stalk the hallowed halls of CARICOM the way its grips the Guyanese society under this political administration?

Mr. Greenidge was simply exercising a fundamental right to free speech at a private function and for exercising this freedom it seems that his right to work may be taken away.

The GTUC’s letter concluded by requesting that good sense may prevail and the CARICOM Secretariat following its best tradition revisits this issue and put in place the requisite mechanism to allow the people of the region to continue to benefit from the proven skills, acumen and professional  competence of  Mr. Greenidge’s, facts that the OTN readily highlights, which Mr. Greenidge  has thus far brought to the CARICOM trade negotiations process and more so the critical CARICOM/Canada Trade Agreement now in its embryonic stage.

Additionally, GTUC let it be known that it would be extremely pleased to learn that CARICOM has distinguished itself from the type of primitive political culture that holds hostage the development of some Caribbean societies, particularly that of Guyana. As a people our interests are best served if we continue to forge development based on the ability to perform rather than race, political allegiance, or other discriminatory factor(s).

Since CARICOM was created to respect the diversity of its peoples it is hoped that now it will not be sacrificed at the altar of political vindictiveness, or expediency. The people of the region depend on this institution to enforce the respect for the rights and freedoms of every citizen, including Mr. Greenidge’s, as enshrined in international conventions and the CARICOM Charter of Civil Society and Industrial Relations Principles. GTUC fervently hopes CARICOM adheres to these principles as it seeks to move the region forward.