Region 10 union leaders call for better working conditions

Labour Day rallies

…Region 2 workers urged to be unified

Workers in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) marched on Monday from La Belle Alliance, where freedom fighter Damon and his 700 apprentice workers gathered and protested against the forced labour system on August 3, 1838, to the Anna Regina Town Council compound.

The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) and the Guyana Teachers Union were the only two unions that participated in the march and subsequent rally. In his May Day message, Executive Member of the GPSU, Duwane Boston called for unity among the working class and reminded workers of the many struggles fought for by their foreparents for a free and just system.
Regional Chairman Devanand Ramdatt in brief remarks wished the workers well.

Region 10
Meanwhile, in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), officials during the observance of the occasion of Labour Day made continued calls for better working conditions for workers.
Marching under the theme, “Advancing solidarity, promoting employment and decent work – Workers unite, a living wage is the goal,” on Tuesday, workers from various agencies in Linden participated in the annual Labour Day rally, which culminated with a ceremony at the Lichas Hall, Mackenzie. Coordinating Secretary of the GPSU, Mortimer Livan in delivering the feature address gave a history of the British Guiana Trade Union and shed light on the right for collective bargaining, as he pointed out that there has been no collective bargaining under the GPSU over the past 18 years. Livan also pointed to challenges still being faced by workers and unions inspite of freedom of association.

“We have some cases where, even though we have freedom of association, we have employers telling employees if they join the Union you will be dismissed and those on contract, ‘we will not renew your contract’”, Livan pointed out. He also alluded to the lack of solidarity and support between Unions as well as the lack of unity in the trade union movement. According to Livan this has a negative effect on the movement in terms of taking it to the level of making certain demands for employees. In highlighting some changes and breakthroughs in the Public Service Union in terms of improvement of working conditions, Livan said while a lot has been achieved, the Union will continue to seek better working conditions for persons employed in the public service.
Meanwhile, GPSU Region 10 Representative Maurice Butters said the arm of the union in Linden has had an upward struggle, not only for workers’ wages and salaries but better working conditions, as he further pointed to the struggles in trying to establish a Regional Health Committee over the past five years to assist suffering workers.
He also stressed the need to take hold of the situation at Linden schools as he called on the regional administration to work together with the Union in helping to alleviate these and other issues. Nevertheless, Butters said the struggle continues in trying to go back to the bargaining table for collective bargaining to reach the goal of a living wage.
Meanwhile, Charles Sampson in speaking on behalf of the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union urged workers to demand proper representation as he noted that much more needs to be done in the interest of workers.
“Unions have become weaker… because you the workers have not been insisting that the unions act more in your interest and do things that will enhance your livelihoods; enhance your ability to rise and enjoy a good life in our society… companies are not treating workers right. If there’s not a union representing workers then you will not get the right treatment,” Sampson said. He also made calls for the involvement and integration of more young people into the trade union movement, noting that serious conflicts exist. Sampson added that there is need for unions to be more involved in workers’ payment negotiations, including appropriate minimum wage, as he pointed out that the minimum wage for Government workers is totally inadequate. Regional Chairman Renis Morian further called on unions to be more creative and strategic in the struggle for better working conditions.
Additionally, a number of persons were awarded for outstanding service to trade unionism in the region. Also present and delivering remarks were Branch Chairman Jennifer Nelson, Deputy Regional Executive Officer Maylene Stephen, Emmet Alves of the Linmine Secretariat, and Councillor Eleze Hall. (Utamu belle and Mohan Seulall)