Protest by GGMC employees is an act of ‘bad faith’ – Management

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GGMC workers protest outside the Brickdam Office. [iNews' Photo]

GGMC workers protest outside the Brickdam Office. [iNews' Photo]
GGMC workers protest outside the Brickdam Office. [iNews’ Photo]
[www.inewsguyana.com] – The management of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) says the protest action taken by its employees is an act of “bad faith” given the fact that discussions and engagements were on-going between the Union and the Commission.

Staffers of the GGMC with the support of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) resuscitated their industrial action on January 06 which had commenced in December 2014, over the non – payment of salary increases

GGMC in a media release noted that it has honoured the terms and conditions of the signed Terms of Resumption of Work and has worked “assiduously and tirelessly to achieve amicable resolution to the issues.”

“In this regard, the Commission has reiterated the need to abide by the standing agreement between the Guyana Public Service Union and the Commission for the Recognition and Avoidance and Settlement of Disputes, which clearly identifies the steps to be taken to resolve the current issues. Deviations from these enshrined protocols can be construed as acts of bad faith, more so given that discussions and engagements were on-going between the Union and the Commission,” the GGMC noted.

According to the Commission, all necessary measures and mechanisms will be instituted to ensure that the work of the Commission is not unduly disrupted by what it considers to be an “illegal industrial action.”

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 Officers 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.

 

 

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