GAWU does not enjoy any special treatment as is alleged

Dear Editor,

The GAWU recognised that it was deemed as seemingly a privileged union by GB&GWU General Secretary, Mr Lincoln Lewis in his letter titled `I publicly call on Minister Hamilton to attend to the outstanding grievances languishing in the Ministry of Labour and on his desk’, which appeared in the January 09, 2022 edition of Stabroek News.

Mr Lewis alleges that our Union and the NAACIE have had their matters addressed by the Ministry of Labour whereas seemingly other unions are unable to do the same. The GAWU, for its part, wishes to point out that we do not enjoy any special treatment as is alleged.

Our Union matters are put to the Ministry properly and in keeping with our agreements subsisting with employers. Moreover, we would regularly follow-up with the Ministry to ensure that matters are addressed.

We fail to see how our active efforts to have workers’ issues resolved can be deemed as enjoying special treatment. Certainly, this is available to all unions. The GAWU nonetheless hope this puts this false accusation to rest.

Yours faithfully,

Seepaul Narine

President

GAWU