Bosai strike ends: agreement reached for 7% wage increase

A day after employees attached to bauxite mining company Bosai Minerals Group Guyana Incorporated in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) downed tools over disagreements stemming from a proposed wage increase, the company and the workers’ union have agreed to a seven per cent across the board increase for two years.

More than 60 employees, mainly operators attached to the East Montgomery Mines location, downed tools on Wednesday, as they joined others at the north gate of the company in peaceful protest over the previously proposed 6 and 6.5 per cent increase.
According to the disgruntled employees, based on the offer, they would have been paid a six per cent increase if they agreed to this amount for one year, or a 6.5 per cent increase if they agreed to it for a period of two years.
This, the employees had contended, was totally unacceptable. They noted that they were seeking an increase of eight or nine per cent.
However, Guyana Times understands that the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) Union met with the company on Thursday, and an agreement was reached. This was confirmed by Bosai Senior Personnel Officer Truedel Marks, who said that a full complement of staff is expected back today.
“We have reached agreement. The strike has ended; we expect full resumption tomorrow (Friday) at 7. We have decided to pay seven per cent across the board. There were some increase in their shift allowance, shift premiums and sick leave benefits,” Marks told this publication on Thursday. She added that the company and the union were also expected to sign an agreement at the Labour Department.
It is understood that a majority of the workers have agreed to the decision; however, several employees told this publication that the decision was not an easy one. According to an employee, they were informed by the company that if an eight per cent increase was granted, it would have to retrench all of its casual workers and apprentices to accommodate the nine per cent being sought.
Meanwhile, Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) Divisional Chairman Whitney Graham said the majority of the workers and the Union agreed to the decision. “We agree with it and before the end of the month, the workers would be paid. For the most part, the majority of the workers agreed and the Union agreed with it,” he stated.
Some of the employees who were in disagreement spoke to this newspaper.
“It wasn’t my heart’s desire because truly speaking, I personally think the company could make it … they’re reaping the sweet of this country and don’t want to do anything for workers as far as I’m concerned and I think somebody in the Government needs to stand up for the working class in this country,” the employee contended.
Back in 2016, the employees had also protested an across-the-board increase of 4.5 per cent while the offer was at the negotiations stage, as they aimed for a nine per cent increase.