Trade unionists and the government on Sunday clashed during the observation of Labour Day 2016 at the National Park, when union representatives took to the stage and expressed dissatisfaction over salary increases and collective bargaining in Guyana..
Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union President Komal Chand
Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) President Komal Chand in his address stated that trade unions have the expectation of being consulted and involved in matters of national importance and the development of the country.
He went on to raise several issues facing the workforce which government is yet to address, including that of collective bargaining for wage increases: “We are occupied with several matters, of which impact the working rights of workers and the rights of working people. Collective Bargaining, on this Workers’ Day, we must again emphasise our displeasure at the disrespect showed to collective bargaining which was denied to GAWU last year 2015. Shame! GuySuCo, a few weeks ago, unilaterally and bluntly told the union that at no time it would offer an increase to 2015. The government promise of collective bargaining with unions and the Public Service has almost for one year not been fulfilled,” he stated.
Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo
Meanwhile, General Secretary of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) Lincoln Lewis reiterated that the labour movement has the responsibility to protect the gains workers have acquired over the years.
He reflected on efforts of the labour movement, further adding that, “efforts are intensifying in treating us with contempt and wanting to put us on the fringe of the society”. He opined that in both government and trade unions, elected leaders must be held accountable, adding that both government and opposition have to perform as they are paid by taxpayers’ monies.
He stated that it is their responsibility to move the country forward and serve peoples’ interests: “When the movement saw the need to fight for universal adult suffrage and self-government, these efforts were informed by the principle of the right to self-determination and representative leadership. Representative leadership means that when one is elected by the people, he or she is in service to the people.”
Lewis stated that thus far, the coalition government has failed to carry out this responsibility, as they have increased their salary by 50 per cent while public servants are still awaiting the bargaining process for their increase.
“While this government has been elected to do better than its predecessors, it is expected that the business of the state would be conducted within the confines of the Guyana Constitution. The right to collective bargaining is protected in Article 147 of the Guyana Constitution; it must be respected like all rights. The government is calling to commence negotiation on wages and salaries for the Guyana Public Service Union. This negotiation has nothing to do with the work of the Public Service Commission,” he stated, adding that trade unions have a right to meet and negotiate with the relevant government bodies.
General Secretary of the Guyana Trades Union Congress Lincoln Lewis
However, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo challenged Lewis claims that government has failed to serve the people: “When I heard my good brother and friend Lincoln Lewis speaking, I know he had been doing that speech for the past 20 years, perhaps not realising that the game has changed… so he found everything under the sun for which he could criticise and indict this 11-month-old coalition.”
The Prime Minister stated that instead of a one-off increase, the government is seeking to come to a long range arrangement that goes beyond wages and salaries: “We hear here this recitation of collective bargaining, collective bargaining, collective bargaining from those who presided over the funeral of collective bargaining. We must have an arrangement that not only deals with salaries and wages but we must return to merit awards.
