Workers plan to shut down UG if demands are not met

By Tracey Khan – Drakes

[www.inewsguyana.com] – Today marks day four of the ‘sit in’ by the University of Guyana’s Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) and the Workers Union (UGWU) as they continue their demands for increase in wages and salaries and other improvements at the Turkeyen Campus.

There seems to be no stopping now as the workers agreed during a demonstration exercise to shut down the University if their demands are not met.

Since the ‘sit in’ began, union members including lecturers have been present on campus but have not engaged in teaching and/or providing services. Apart from lectures, the services most used by students at this time are bursary and registry related.

A council meeting has been scheduled for Friday, January 30 between the University’s Administration and the Council; the workers are hopeful an agreement will be met so that they can return to work.

President of UGSSA, Melissa Ifill said “It is even more encouraging today than yesterday to see us in our numbers out here…it signals in a very clear and unambiguous way that we are prepared to resist, we are prepared to stand up for our rights, we are prepared to stand up justice, we are prepared to stand up for our 60%, we have been negotiating with this administration since 2012…again I say they will want to divide us they will want to separate us…but we will not let them divide us.”

The unions are also exploring ways in which they can raise funds for the workers to ensure their daily needs are met, if they are forced to continue with the industrial action.

The University’s Student Society has also planned another meeting with students and called on the students to wear black which signifies the mourning by students of the University’s deteriorating conductions.