GGMC resuscitates strike – “We fed up ah de same thing ova an ova!”

 

By Kurt Campbell

[www.inewsguyana.com] – Workers of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) have resuscitated their industrial action which had commenced in December 2014, over the non – payment of salary increases.

More than 50% of employees stood alongside the roadway outside their Brickdam office, chanting catchphrases and holding placards as they mount pressure on the relevant authorities.

Senior Industrial Relations Officer at the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) Denis English said it was a demonstration of dissatisfaction and workers were demanding that “justice be done.”

He reminded that the strike action came to a halt after a proposal was put forward by GGMC management for an interim payout of 8%, across the board, in order to return the situation to normalcy while discussions continued on a 35% increase.

He explained that an agreement was signed at the Ministry of Labour in this regard where a time frame was set out for everything to be addressed.

“The union gave one month and management stated that they endeavor to have everything resolved by December 31, 2014. To date the matter is still unresolved,” English told iNews.

He said the Union was told that a document was submitted to the Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud for payment to be made but does not understand why it has not been paid.

“The time has elapsed and nothing has been done and the workers are totally dissatisfied. When they made the proposals we took in good faith what was put forward and treated it as though they were serious and passionate in getting things done and now the workers expectations have been totally breached along with the agreement.”

English said the Union has a strategy it is working with but refused to divulge the details of that strategy.

Meanwhile, GPSU’s Industrial Relations Officer Jermaine Hermanstyne said the strike will continue to be intensified.

“We have an agreement which points to negotiation and when it should conclude… management continues to play games.”

He said because of management’s untimely response, workers were forced to take action. Efforts to secure a comment from GGMC management proved futile.