FITUG calls on TUC to prove it’s more representative

The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) yesterday called on the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) to show evidence that it is the most representative trade union body as the two groups continued their war of words.

Last week, the GTUC denied that it had received an $8 million grant in this year’s budget and said that it is a fallacy peddled by FITUG that the numerical strength of individual union (s) collectively constitute(s) the most representative in a federated association.

“Such pronouncement is an act to deceive in order to dominate and be the sole determinant for all the people. On the universal principle of most-representative in federation/supervisory body such is based on most representative organisations of workers. This is a principle embraced by the International Labour Organisation which the unions in FITUG are aware of. FITUG has four unions in its federation. The GTUC has ten and by this principle is deemed the most representative. Clearly, some are not interested in creating a society where time-honoured principles, justice, fair play and equality are ensured for all,” the GTUC had said in a statement.

In response, FITUG yesterday expressed disappointment at the GTUC’s response and also acknowledged its misrepresentation of the budgetary allocation for GTUC accepting that both the TUC and FITUG were allocated $500,000 each with $8 million as support to other trade unions. However, it questioned who are the other unions to whom this sum is going.

“The Federation, Guyana’s majority registered worker organization, does not wish to dwell on the issues lest it is accused of fostering labour movement division. However, facts are facts, verifiable and evidence-friendly. Records must be set straight in the interest of industrial representative integrity,” the statement said. FITUG also said that contrary to what the GTUC has said, it is not seeking to dominate the Trade Union Recognition and Certification Board (TURCB) but wants the law to be respected and adhered to by all involved. “We recall that the TURCB must be established in keeping with the procedure set out in the Act which is as follows:- ‘the Board shall consist of seven members, each appointed by the Minister after consultations with the most representative organisations of workers and the most representative organisations of employers; three members appointed by the Minister on the nomination of the most representative organisation of workers; three members appointed by the Minister on the nomination of the most representative organisation of employers’,” the statement said.

It emphasised that the law requires that the Minister consult with the respective organisations on the appointment of the Chairman of the TURCB. “This was not adhered to. Moreover, as a matter of interest, FITUG, like the GTUC, also submitted its nominees for the TURCB as well as other State Boards and for which an acknowledgement was had from the Ministry of the Presidency,” the union declared.

FITUG said that in terms of the definition for the “most representative” trade union organization, the ILO principle embraces the actual verifiable numerical strength of unions affiliated to a larger body and not the mere number of organis-ations/unions allegedly connected to it.

The statement said that FITUG was also surprised to learn that the GTUC has as many as ten affiliates. “Given the disclosure of this well-guarded secret, the public we are sure would be pleased to learn of the names of the ten (10) functioning affiliates referred to as well as to the number of unionized workers represented by each affiliate. This information with respect to FITUG is well known thus a similar approach by the GTUC should be adopted. The public would also be interested to learn about the existence of “paper unions” as well as the authentic, fully audited bargaining agents the GTUC represents,” FITUG declared.

It added that the GTUC’s previous assertions that subventions were denied as a result of GAWU not being President of the Congress is completely and utterly fallacious. “The withholding of the subvention we believe is linked to concerns over accountability of the state funds that were provided,” FITUG said.

In terms of GAWU occupying the posts of President and General Secretary within FITUG that Union, FITUG said that GAWU so far, has chosen to have the fraternal unions within the Federation share the positions and such a decision is well within GAWU’s democratic right.