Gov’t still silent on standoff between bauxite company, union
-Union leader says gov’t must stand with workers
The Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) yesterday called on the Government to take a firm stand against the firing of nearly 290 workers by the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc, (BCGI), the union
In a decade-long rift between the union and the Russian-owned bauxite mining company, union president, Lincoln Lewis, yesterday called for an end to the situation. He said for too long RUSAL has been allowed to trample and violate the laws of the country.
Reading from a prepared speech during a press conference yesterday at the Critchlow Labour College, Lewis said, “Government must understand that it has to stand with the people. This is a blatant attempt by Russia in seeking to position itself in this hemisphere in its quest for global dominance and Guyana must not become its satellite state.”
Lewis also made the conclusion that from his impression it seems that government “… are afraid to deal with these foreign companies” and he believes that the politicians are not, “ideologically rooted or understand philosophically what their role is in preserving the interest of the nation and the people.”
He added, “Evidently, the company has thrown down the gauntlet to the Government and People of Guyana as to who they think is in charge or want Guyanese to feel is in charge – that is, the Russian management and by extension Russia! This is naked bullyism or pushing the button further to secure an outcome not in Guyanese best interest.”
Some 288 employees have been laid off by BCGI within a week. The union and the government have not received any correspondence from the company informing them of the layoffs. A move, the union said, is a violation of the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act.
One hundred and forty two persons were laid off last Thursday by the company after it said it was not able to secure a duty-free concession on fuel importation.
In a notice posted on Wednesday, a further 146 workers learnt that they were being laid off. “We wish to advise that we are forced to further reduce operations and to lay off employees due to adverse operating circumstances including shipment interruption due to the blockage of the Berbice River. Unfortunately, the employees listed below are affected by the reduction and have to be [laid] off effective the 30th January 2020 and to be recalled as soon as the situation returns to normal,” the correspondence said while informing that individual letters would be sent via post to the homes of the employees.
A blockage was installed on the Berbice
River by workers after 142 of them were laid off last week after the company said it had experienced a fuel shortage.
Frustrated at the manner in which the company is approaching the matter, Lewis shared the opinion that maybe it is time for RUSAL to cease its operations here.
“If at some point RUSAL have to pack up and go then so be it. We will not sit here and allow RUSAL to come here and violate the laws, transgress workers rights and treat the government of this country like how they feel they should, they are not the determinant factor,” he declared.
Three days ago, Lewis told Stabroek News that the GB&GWU will only facilitate the resumption of RUSAL-run BCGI traffic in the Berbice River if the company moves to resolve outstanding labour issues or signs an arbitration agreement.
The union is seeking an end to talks on wages and salaries and for a declaration from Chief Labour Officer, Charles Ogle of the Department of Labour, of a deadlock between the parties. This he said, will pave the way for arbitration.
“If they want to go to arbitration, there must be the establishment of TORs [Terms of Reference] and the appointment of arbitrators and they must sign the agreement. This is the time for the issues to be fixed…,” Lewis emphasised.
They are also asking that the company accept the responsibility and compensate two workers who suffered electrical shock on the job in December.
The layoffs are the latest chapter in the deteriorating relations between the company and workers, which have been underpinned for years by acrimony over wages and conditions. Talks on wages have been stalled for months and workers may see these layoffs as an attempt to pressure them.
Lewis further stated that the claim by the company that it is unable to transport fuel to the generation plant at the mines due to the current barriers across the river, is untrue.
He noted that the company can utilise the road infrastructure and transport the needed fuel.
“I have stood up over the years and fought and I’ve seen results. If the slaves had sat down and tek the little bit of food we would have been born in slavery,” Lewis stressed that the struggle continues.
Meanwhile, Corretta McDonald, General Secretary of the Guyana Teachers Union, who was a part of the press conference said that the violations committed by RUSAL not only affect the workers but also the trade union movement across the country.
McDonald, whose name is on the APNU+AFC list of Candidates for the March 2 General and Regional Elections, said that she has been using her leverage to communicate in the background with senior Minister of Government, Amna Ally, on a way forward to address the issue.
She however stated that “as a trade unionist I will stand for the principles; that is we are not going to allow any employers to transgress the laws... Rights are rights, when there is a violation it has to be addressed hence my reason for engaging the Department of Labour and Minister Amna Ally. Outside of the meeting table, we have been working to ensure our workers are protected and they don’t give into provocation and their families remain stable.” she declared while emphasising that the union bodies are committed to [the] fight against labour violations.