The Guyana Bauxite & General Workers Union (GB&GWU), headed by President Leslie Gonsalves and General Secretary Lincoln Lewis, on Tuesday last prevailed against the employer-preferred National Mines Workers Union and won the Recognition Poll with a resounding 93 per cent.
Repeated efforts by the majority Russia-owned RUSAL subsidiary Bauxite
GB&GWU President Leslie Gonsalves
Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) to impose unions or workers’ committees continue to be stoutly rejected by the workers.
The election was reported as incident free, with the exception of one event where the BCGI management sought to make an unauthorised and illegal entry to the polling station.
According to the Union, this was seen as an attempt to intimidate the workers or influence the outcome. However, management was met with strong opposition by the Trade Union Recognition Board officials, who were responsible for conducting the poll.
The poll came against the backdrop of eight years of refusal by the BCGI to treat with the vigilant GB&GWU. This Union has been crusading against the transgressing of workers’ constitutional right to Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining (Article 147), and the violation of Section 23 (1) of the Trade Union Recognition Act (1997) in the domestic and international communities.
The GB&GWU, as a result, now calls on BCGI to honour the laws of Guyana and treat with the Union according to said laws, failing to do otherwise will constitute breach of the law and continued high-handedness and disrespect shown by management for the sovereignty of Guyana and the workers of Guyana.
The GB&GWU said too it called on the David Granger Government, with authority vested by way of Recognition, to cause the BCGI to respect the will and rights of these workers. In any failure to do so, Government cannot absolve itself from taking responsibility in siding with foreign forces to undermine this nation’s integrity
GB&GWU General Secretary Lincoln Lewis
and sovereignty.
“It is opportune to remind the Administration that these workers not only expressed their will for the GB&GWU but also for them in May 2015 on the commitment that their labour at this company shall be protected as enshrined in the laws and Collective Labour Agreement.”
It was noted that where A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) as Opposition and Government rightly demanded the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) in Government and Opposition respect the electorate’s will in 2011 and 2015, so too must it be for the workers’ will as expressed on Tuesday.
The GB&GWU by way of a public missive has since called on Government to now move to give effect to its commitment and the rule of law.
According to the Union, workers must now see the BCGI being brought to the table to start treating with the GB&GWU.
“Of immediate priority is management adding its signature to the tripartite document to give effect to the promised taxes on all premium hours worked, ie, overtime, Saturday and Sunday work. GB&GWU and Government signed the document since last year and await BCGI’s signature so the workers can enjoy this benefit.”
The Union also identified the honouring of the Vacation Benefit and Holiday Pay as prescribed in the Collective Labour Agreement. Simultaneously, Government must move to have full scale engagement between the management and Union, a company that it has part ownership of.
“This has been a bitter and bruising battle, workers have suffered and continue to suffer…Some have been deprived, lost their lives through avoidable industrial accidents, were fed unhealthy food, physically threatened, are working in unsafe and unhealthy environment where some have fallen ill, been arbitrarily dismissed, and families have been rent asunder under the weight of the inability of the main breadwinner to provide. Better men and women would have buckled under such circumstances.”
The GB&GWU in partnership with the international trade union movement in 2009 launched an online campaign, which received thousands of signatures from around the world; there have been several interventions made via letters, statements, columns, articles and editorials, by local and foreign trade unions, federations and citizens calling on the Government of Guyana to address the grievances.
It was noted that the then Opposition APNU and AFC have condemned the contemptuous treatment meted out to the bauxite workers and the disregard for the rule of law and noted “they are now in the driving seat and have the opportunity to prove how serious and committed they are to righting the wrongs.”
