-fails to reach settlement with unions
GuySuCo says it decision to discipline nine factory workers over a fire which damaged a conveyor belt at the Skeldon factory was justified and it yesterday declined to consider reinstating any of the employees.
Representatives from the Guyana Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) and NACCIE met with officials of the sugar corporation hours after workers ended a strike and resumed working; the discussions ended without an agreement.
General Secretary of GAWU Seepaul Narine commented briefly yesterday that the union has to move to the next phase where the issue is addressed internally before it re-engages the corporation. Previously, GAWU’s position was that it would decide on the way forward based on what GuySuCo had to say during the talks.
The Skeldon sugar factory workers who staged the strike agreed to resume working on the condition that the corporation re-considers the dismissals and yesterday many were reportedly dissatisfied with the outcome of the meeting; some of those who were dismissed also remained optimistic.
The corporation took disciplinary action against nine employees following an investigation into a recent fire that resulted in extensive damage to a bagasse conveyor belt and according to Chief Executive Officer Paul Bhim the incident will cost the industry between $20 million and $25 million in repair works.
GuySuCo, in a statement, said that following a “full investigation” into the August 7 fire, disciplinary action was taken against employees, both managerial and non-managerial. It noted that the investigation revealed that the fire was as a result of “gross negligence.”
Herman Kissoon, a fire attendant at the factory, said he was dismissed without a fair hearing and also on shaky grounds. Kissoon falls under GAWU representation and he is hoping to be re-instated; he said the corporation had no evidence against him to send him home.
