Guyana Goldfields AGM rekindles resistance to unionisation for – workers

…workers hint at another protest action

Although workers attached to Aurora Gold Mine (AGM) had placed confidence in their employer to have them unionised, this conception was short-lived following a recent meeting.
The workers informed Guyana Times that the company engaged the Labour Department and reportedly stated that its workers no longer require a union.
A document was signed by workers in regards to their payments but they believe it is being used to peddle the misinformation that they do not want to be unionised.
With these hindrances in meeting their demands, the miners have displayed no hesitation in resorting to another standoff.
“I think we might be heading to another stand down here at AGM. Reasons being that the company gave all assurance that they will comply with the labour laws of this country as it relates to workers being represented by a union of their choice, yet [the company]…stated that the workers no longer want a union and some workers who are not management can’t be unionised,” the miner expressed.
“We have over 300 signed forms from workers which amounts to well over 40 per cent of AGM staff. Outside of that, we signed a form for our pay statement and they’re using that to say that the workers signed a document stating that they don’t want a union. We have signed no such document,” he added.
Workers of the mining company have long called for representation by a recognised union to fight for better wages and working conditions. Strike actions initiated earlier this year and was finally resolved after the Canadian-based company promised to meet demands.
Presently, the workers stated that they still desire to be unionised and have inked their signatures to that effect.
After operations were restored last month, workers were granted their second quarterly bonus and the company further committed towards progress on unionisation, compensation and other issues that were raised when the workers initiated strike actions.
A letter was issued to employees granting the second quarterly bonus of 7.6 per cent on July 25, while asserting that the formula for the next bonus will be reviewed. However, most of these promises are yet to be fulfilled. Attempts to contact officials of AGM for a comment on the matter proved futile.