The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) on Friday called on the APNU+AFC government to deliver justice to the 57 workers who were dismissed from Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) back in November 2009.
The workers were dismissed after they went on strike for increased pay and safer working conditions, closing down the Aroaima and Kwakwani sites.
President of GTUC Lincoln Lewis, speaking at a press conference, said that a comprehensive dossier was prepared and presented to Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence and the BCGI matter was highlighted as one to be addressed. However, there has been no formal engagement with the minister.
The GTUC called on Lawrence to commence the process consistent with the authority vested in her under Section 4(1) of the Labour Act Cap. 98:01, which speaks to the regulation of the arbitration process.
Lewis underscored that Junior Minister Simona Broomes, who has responsibility for labour, had invited BCGI representatives to two meetings, but they have not attended. “Nobody should be coming from outside the country… to tell us that they are not going to respect the laws [it] is time the government stand up and take a position,” he stated.
He highlighted several issues that are to be addressed, including the refusal to treat with the union that represents the workers, benefits of workers who were dismissed and practices that are in contradiction of the laws.
Meanwhile, Lewis and two of the 57 workers who were present at the press conference said there was a disparity in the treatment of bauxite workers by government compared to the sugar workers and rice farmers.
Lewis posited that workers, “Only matter when they are required to vote… their act of turning out to the polls in unprecedented numbers and voting must not be taken for granted or seen as entitlement to anyone. The fact that these workers have vested their confidence in a group, who today holds the levers of executive and legislative power; such power, which the workers granted the elected officials, must now be used in ensuring justice is delivered for them.”
In May 2009, 67 workers were suspended for refusing to work with defective equipment. In November 2009, 57 workers were dismissed by BCGI.
Their termination letters stated as grounds: “Encouraging workers not to go to work and propagandize against the management of the company by that obstructing the work of the company… “The company has lost confidence in you as an employee and can no longer have you continue in employment…”
The company stated that it was acting in its lawful right to terminate the employment with immediate effect.
Lawrence was in opposition when a no-confidence motion was brought against the then minister Manzoor Nadir because of his failure to represent the workers’ interest and enforce the laws, protect the workers and ensure a stable industrial environment.
Nadir had defended his handling of the dispute between the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) and the Rusal subsidiary, BCGI, dismissing criticism that he has not been acting in the workers’ interest.
The company had made a move to derecognize the union which is in violation of the Trade Union Recognition Act.
Lewis said the Act, Section 23 (1) should be recognised which states, “Where a trade union obtains a certificate of recognition for workers compromised 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.”
