Georgetown: Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) and three workers’ unions; Guyana Agriculture Workers Union (GAWU), Clerical and Commercial Workers’ Union (CCWU) and the Guyana Labour Union (GLU) earlier Tuesday signed a collective labour agreement which seeks to benefit workers employed at the privately owned company.
The signing of the agreement which was facilitated at the Ministry of Social Protection, Department of Labour, saw in attendance, Chief Labour Officer, Charles Ogle, who lauded the efforts to the two parties to evade the intervention of a third party or arbitrator. This, Ogle said, was a sign of maturity and a testimony to the fact that collective bargaining is alive and well in Guyana.
“Collective bargaining is well and alive in Guyana – this is proof of collective bargaining and its four parties” he declared adding “we are glad that you can reach an agreement without third party intervention” the Chief Labour Officer said.
Under the 5 year agreement which expires in 2019, workers who would have been receiving the minimum wage of $49,741 per month, will now be receiving $60,000 – a 20% increase negotiated by the three unions. All other increases to salaries will be retroactive.
Additional benefits negotiated under the agreement include fridge allowance, travel allowances, annual increases to salaries and the granting of necessary equipment relative to their department of work.
Representing the lead negotiating union – GAWU – was General Secretary, Seepaul Narine, who explained that the agreement had been as a result of fruitful negotiations between the participating bodies.
Noting that this achievement is a historic one, given the nature of industrial relations in Guyana, Narine revealed that membership of the unions play a critical role since the power vested in the unions are as a result of the confidence expressed by the workers.
“We believe that membership of unions play a critical role in agreements such as these. And before drafting this agreement, we held numerous consultations and discussions with workers and they agreed. So they [the workers] are eagerly awaiting these benefits and increases” he added.
Representing DDL was Ms. Manita Singh-Bird who expressed that while DDL demands much from their staff, they remain committed to providing social benefits and attractive remuneration packages for their employees.
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