Georgetown : The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (Guysuco) concluded negotiations on August 16, 2011 after eleven (11) sessions starting June 20, 2011, resulting in sugar workers being awarded with effect from January 01, 2011, a five per cent (5%) pay-rise.
This year is the first time in six (6) years that the Corporation and the Union reached an accord at bilateral negotiations.
The Union forty-five – (45) – strong negotiation team, including elected delegates of the rank- and file, unanimously approved last Tuesday the five per cent (5%) rise-in-pay notwithstanding the Union’s original claim of twelve per cent (12%). Members of the negotiating team paid cognizance to the Audited Statement of the Corporation for 2010 and the Management Accounts as at May 31, 2011 which indicates that the cash-strapped Corporation for the first five months of this year is indebted to creditors and bankers to the tune of the over six (6) billion dollars.
Guysuco is expected that this year’s revenue arising from molasses and sugar production which target was revised in early July to 282, 712 from 298, 879 tonnes set at the beginning of the year, would enable it to break-even at the end of the year.
At very short notice, the Corporation has invited the Union to append the five per cent (5%) wage/salary Agreement at its Ogle’s Training Centre at 12:00 noon, tomorrow (Friday) August 19, 2011.
