Dear Editor,

Messrs Orin Ford, Reford Byass and Elymuwell Barkoye, signatories to the letter `Questions for Leslie Gonsalves’ published by SN, March 26, 2010 are a lost cause, if after five months into the bauxite struggle, all the media coverage, letters and communication flowing from the Union into the industry, they now write publicly to feign ignorance of the laws broken by the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc (BCGI).

If we accept their ridiculous story impressing that they are unaware of 1) which laws are broken and 2) Mr.  Mohamed Akeel is himself unaware of which laws are broken, and 3) that the union has not presented a case to state the laws broken; then readers must question the credibility of these gentlemen.  They must also view with suspicion the very questions they ask for these gentlemen appear to be living in a world of make believe, oblivious to what is occurring around them. Worse they may be mentally incapable of comprehending and understanding their rights as workers under the laws of Guyana and ILO conventions in spite of the recent public information. This perhaps explains why they now take up a leading role to represent BCGI /Government who together are transgressing their rights and those of their colleagues.

I refer them to the following laws which hopefully they will ask Akeel, BCGI and the government of Guyana to uphold since these affect them directly. Trade Union Recognition Act Chapter 98:07, Section 23 (1) and Section 26; and Labour Law Chapter 98:01 Section 4 (1).

Relative to the financial accounts and other questions asked whereas it is understandable that Barkoye as a non member of the union may not be familiar with the recourse available to union members who seek such answers, there is no excuse for Ford and Byass who strangely have never sought such answers before now, but nevertheless should be familiar with the procedure through which such questions can be answered. The union reminds the two that it has procedures through which it handles union matters of an internal nature. Further unlike BCGI and those whom they represent the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) has broken no law as it relates to its internal affairs or the laws of Guyana. The issue remains the violation of the laws of Guyana and ILO conventions by BCGI, Akeel and the Ministry of Labour.

The efforts of these three are recognized for what they are intended for. Whereas Ford and Byass are members of the Union, Barkoye is a non member who has nevertheless enjoyed the benefits derived from collective bargaining (i.e. what the union negotiates).  These men serve their political masters well and have demonstrated that they are prepared to undermine the unity of the labour movement, of GB&GWU, for self serving interests.  It is Barkoye who is being used by Mohamed Akeel to advance the cause of BCGI and the government to derecognize GB&GWU. It was he, also a known PPP political activist, who is also used to go around the plant coercing workers into signing a company engineered derecognition petition and one seeking to have NAACIE replace the Union.  Mohamed Akeel serves his masters well.. The union must serve the workers.

The three are reminded that feigning ignorance is no excuse if they choose to remain in ignorance. They have chosen to walk on the side of the oppressor and deny their families and children leadership by example. They are typical examples of why our struggles are harder but why we must continue, for we struggle not just for them but for their children and the vulnerable in our midst.

Yours faithfully,
Leslie Gonsalves
General Secretary (ag.)
GB&GWU