The Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) recently issued a five-day ultimatum to Oldendorff Carrier to proceed on industrial action if the company refuses to come to the bargaining table with an appropriate proposal. The ultimatum expires on September 27 and the notice was duly issued consistent with Article 6:3 of the Collective Labour Agreement. The Union and company have been locked in negotiation for increased wages and improve working conditions for year 2010, since June. After the parties failed to reach an agreement, the union wrote the Ministry of Labour requesting conciliation under its chairmanship.
On Sept. 23, the company informed the union that it will not negotiate. The position is contrary to the Collective Labour of Agreement which explicitly states that wages will be negotiated and a re-commitment to such negotiation given by the company on July 7.
According to the Union, Oldendorff has a track recording of reneging on agreements, exploiting workers and violating labour laws. The company refuses to account to workers on their pay-slips how many hours worked, how many normal hours and overtime hours, and hourly rate of pay; and for months has refused to comply with the request by the union to record the information on the pay-slips consistent with the laws. Workers are yet to be paid their bonus for 2009 and the company refuses to discuss the non-payment.
GB&GWU is concerned with the way foreign companies can set up business in Guyana and think they can disrespect local workers and our labour laws. These acts are not only violation of local laws but also International Labour Conventions that every employer, local and multinational, is bound to obey.
The Union says it remains committed to the workers’ cause and will leave no stone unturned in its pursuit for justice and equality.
