GuySuCo should stop high-handed approach to workers

Dear Editor,
The GAWU was disappointed to see the comments of GuySuCo’s Corporate Communications Manager Ms Audreyanna Thomas — relative to a picketing exercise by workers and pensioners of Uitvlugt Estate on June 27, 2018 — in sections of the media on June 28, 2018.
Ms Thomas is reported to have indicated that GuySuCo is of the opinion that “…GAWU is using the situation to encourage workers to protest”. It seems to us that the GuySuCo spokeswoman is living in a disjointed reality, and we cannot help but wonder whether she rationally considered her statement.
Doesn’t she find it strange that workers would stand in the pouring rain in order to let their strong views be aired? The fact that workers are willing to protest in spite of the adverse weather conditions should send a clear and unambiguous message to the Corporation.
The news article goes on to say that Ms Thomas said our Union should encourage workers to get bank accounts. Apart from the Corporation never formally engaging us on its new policy, the statement serves, dismayingly, to demonstrate once more the company’s clearly inconsiderate view of its employees’ realities and plight.
Rather than adopt a contemporary approach of discussion and dialogue, the Corporation, like it has done in recent times, is literally commanding the workers to go in the direction it seeks.
We urge the GuySuCo, as we have done before, to listen sincerely to the workers’ concerns. We genuinely believe that such an engagement would be useful. Experience has taught us that the bull-in-a-china-shop approach does not breed success.
We also once more urge the GuySuCo to accede to the workers’ justifiable requests, rather than continue to take a high-handed approach to the issue, as this can only worsen the bad situation that workers face today.

Yours faithfully,
Seepaul Narine
General
Secretary, GAWU