Representatives of striking Aurora Gold Mine (AGM) workers and officials of the Ministry of Social Protection’s Labour Department met yesterday to resolve the ongoing dispute that has resulted in the suspension of operations at the Region Seven mine site.
Sherwayne Downer, head of the National Mine Workers Union of Guyana (NMWUG), told Stabroek News after a lengthy meeting with Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection with responsibility for labour Keith Scott, Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle and other Department officials, that an assurance was given that none of the striking workers would be fired and the application for the union to officially represent the workers would be expedited.
In a statement on Wednesday, Canadian miner Guyana Goldfields Inc announced that a section of the workforce employed by the company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, AGM Inc., blocked delivery of ore to the mill.
The company said as a safety precaution it had decided to temporarily suspend operations until a resolution was reached and as a result it was seeking to evacuate the mine site of all non-essential personnel, including the striking workers.
Speaking to Stabroek News yesterday, Downer explained that the workers took industrial action as they were concerned as to whether they would lose their jobs to contracted employees and whether they would be paid severance.
“The workers were evacuated from the compound and they demanded to meet with the representatives. The workers then began demanding a meeting with the union because they have chosen this union to represent their interest and that did not bode well with the company,” Downer said, while noting that the company subsequently disconnected its internet service, thereby leaving workers without any access to the outside world.
As a result, the union decided to meet with the Labour Department.
Downer said that the union has been recognised by the Department as working in an official capacity and commanding the support of a majority of the employees. “We walked away with those things: we got the assurance from the government that none of the workers would be fired and the application for the union would be expedited. The other issues will have to be dealt with between the company and the workers but because of the support from the workers, we had to step in and we got some progress,” he explained.
After the meeting, Downer noted that the union also held meetings with the workers that were previously at the site. He noted that they also formed a committee, which will do ground work when they return to Aurora, including mobilising other workers.
Downer said the union was nonetheless still concerned that over 110 workers were still on the site and were being refused Internet access and some of them were refusing to leave since they were not guaranteed entry again.
“We need communication to the outside world because those workers have family outside. Today, three workers came out and they managed to get a call from HR, only to find out that one of their wives got into an accident and another one of them had a surgery. We have some issues developing but as of now we wish to urge the company to be part of the solution and [to know] the NMWUG is not their enemy,” Downer added.
He also said the union is appreciative of the ministry’s efforts and while the workers did not feel convinced on Wednesday that there would be a timely solution to the matter, they felt better yesterday after the union met with the ministry.
The company had said it believes the stoppage was the result of a misunderstanding concerning the management and relationship between AGM and certain open pit mining contractors. AGM has been examining options to improve mining performance in order to ensure Aurora’s long-term future, the statement added, while noting that no decisions have been made on any possible changes to the mining operation at this time.
“The Company is actively working along with its employees and adhering to applicable laws and regulations and is facilitating communication with the relevant Governmental labour authorities to understand and address employees’ concerns and to resolve the matter as quickly as possible. The Company is making arrangements to have the strikers meet with representatives of the Ministry of Labour to mediate the dispute,” the statement added.
It also said that work on the underground exploration decline remained unaffected.
