Voice of Guyana International

Guyana Chronicle :: SUGAR workers represented by the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) yesterday resumed the strike they adjourned last week and said it would last for three days to press, once again, their wages and salaries demands.

The work stoppage occurred six days after the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) employees had returned to work following a two-day stoppage.

The resumption on Thursday last was to allow for further discussions on the dispute and a press release yesterday said, on Friday, Chief Labour Officer Mohamed Akeel convened a meeting between the two parties and sought to have them refer the disagreement to arbitration.

At that meeting, the union delegation, after considering its options, disagreed to arbitration and insisted on securing an agreement for 2006 only, the release stated.

It added that, at a special meeting summoned the following day by the union’s General Council, members expressed disbelief that the corporation was not cooperating to bridge a mere 0.5 per cent difference and, therefore, intermittent strike action, at strategic periods determined by the council, has been taken.

The release said this strike will also be effective, as it has severely affected operations on five estates and is supported by the sugar boilers and the staff represented by the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE).

Negotiations between GAWU and GUYSUCO reached an impasse under the Chairmanship Mr Akeel on October 23, over an escalator clause for the year 2007.

The clause stipulates an automatic increase in pay if the inflation rate surpasses a certain level.

The GAWU release said, if the corporation had fulfilled its commitment towards its adoption, the clause would have allowed for a 5.75 per cent raise in 2006 and 5.25 per cent for 2007.

However, after the union recognised that an agreement for 2006 is no longer possible, it is pressing for a 5.75 per cent in 2007, but the corporation refuses to go beyond 5.25, GAWU charged.

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