By Fareeza Haniff
[www.inewsguyana.com] –Employees of BOSAI Minerals Group, Guyana, are on strike for an increase in their wages and salaries, after negotiations with the company and the union –the Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) fell through.
Company Secretary of BOSAI, Norman McLean told iNews this morning (Monday, November 24) that the employees have rejected a six percent increase which the Company offered during collective bargaining agreement.
McLean believes that the six percent is a fair one, given the challenges the Company has faced in recent times.
However, General Secretary of NAACIE, Kenneth Joseph is of the view that the Company is now performing well and as such, the employees deserve to be paid more.
He told iNews during a telephone interview that NAACIE and BOSAI have been involved in negotiations with the Company since April, which was facilitated by the Ministry of Labour.
During the conciliation process, there were 19 meetings, Joseph said, adding that the employees initially demanded a 25 percent increase. However, this has now been reduced to 8.25 percent.
According to Joseph, the BOSAI employees are still willing to meet and discuss the issue with the Company.
“The employees are not asking for what the Company cannot afford,” Joseph told iNews.
He noted that the strike will last until the employees are satisfied.
