GAWU sugar workers across estates went on strike today after wage talks broke down between the sugar corporation and the union.
Cane harvesters and tillage operators, in addition to factory workers have downed tools for seven days, but the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) gave no notice to GuySuCo.
In a statement this afternoon, GuySuCo said “Whilst this strike will be in progress, the Corporation will be incurring heavy overhead expenses in some areas, without any revenue being generated, and as a consequence it may decide to temporarily cease all operations, except in cases of essential services, until the situation becomes normal.”
The strike is a heavy blow to the corporation which is already struggling with production and reeling from ongoing problems at Skeldon. Chief Executive Officer, Paul Bhim told Stabroek News that the strike is unfortunate given what is happening in the industry.
Bhim said canes were burnt yesterday in preparation for harvesting, but that the batch would spoil by the time the strike is over. “They will be no good by then…12,000 tonnes of cane which translates into about 1,000 tonnes of sugar and just about $115 million dollars”, Bhim lamented.
GAWU met with GuySuCo to discuss wages yesterday, but the meeting ended without an agreement after the corporation said that its position remained the same.
