The University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) and the University of Guyana Worker’s Union (UGWU) yesterday called for Chancellor Compton Bourne to be removed when its members picketed for better salaries, benefits and working conditions at the Turkeyen Campus.
“We feel that his leadership has been weak. As a consequence, we don’t have confidence in him. He is the head of this university and he is supposed to be taking us into a new direction. Certainly what he has demonstrated thus far does not suggest that he has the capacity and the willingness to do so and that is why we are calling for him to go,” Vice President of the UGSSA, Melissa Ifill said when asked the reason why the Guyana-born Chancellor has been made a target.
She explained that the Chancellor has failed to respond to the appeals made by the unions and their attempts to engage him on issues. “He is the head of this university, his power is considerable and we have attempted on several occasions to engage him and say could you speak with us on these issues; could you have some sort of dialogue with us on these issues and he has not responded,” she added.
The decision to resume industrial action was taken after members of the UG Council’s negotiating team failed to attend a meeting on June 18 to commence negotiations on the memorandum of demands submitted by the unions. As a result there was no quorum and the meeting could not proceed. This was acknowledged yesterday by the university in a statement.
Two weeks ago, it had been announced that if no development in plans to start agreed projects on the campus occurred, then the unions would be forced to recommence their picketing. Plans changed last week after the administration contacted President of the UGSSA, Dr Patsy Francis, and indicated that a meeting would be called to begin consultations. However, the meeting, for a second time, failed to materialize.
Ifill pointed out that there were two instances in which the resumption agreement which was signed with the university had been breached. She pointed out that the first occurrence was some time ago when the university did not meet with the unions as was mandated in the resumption terms of agreement – once a month for the first three months. “We wrote to them, we called them and we tried to solicit a response. Finally we got a response. We let that slide,” she said.
The second instance, Ifill stated, was what had essentially caused yesterday’s picket as the actions of the university was described as “gross disrespect”.
“We were advised on the terms of agreement; one of the terms was once we returned to work… and we submitted a memorandum of demands, the university’s administration negotiating team which comprises both council members and university members would meet with us [within a month]. We submitted our memorandum of demands, over a month passed and we still allowed that to slide. Even when the date for the first negotiating meeting was called, the council members did not turn up and we felt that was extremely disrespectful. We believe it is not taking the issues of the workers seriously and we certainly have to take a stand. We cannot let this situation continue. The future of Guyana is at stake, the future of the university is at stake and we couldn’t let that continue,” Ifill posited.
Meanwhile, according to a press release issued yesterday by the university’s Public Relations Department, meetings were held since the resumption on February 27; on March 28, June 8 and a follow-up on June 19. It further stated that a meeting which was scheduled for April 18 was not held and the UGSSA was aware of the efforts which were made to reschedule the meeting prior to the one held on June 8.
The release further stated that the memorandum of demands was received on May 14 but the June 18 meeting, as mentioned above, was not conducted.
The UGSSA Vice Presidet yesterday said she and her colleagues have been dismissed at every level although they have kept their side of the bargain. She said they recognize that the government functionaries are busy but at the same time, the university remains in a dire condition.
“…None of the issues that we went out on strike on, none of those issues have been resolved so it’s time for us to take a stand again and just to alert the country, alert everyone that nothing has changed… The university still needs to be rescued urgently,” she affirmed.
It was also explained by Ifill that the World Bank loan to UG of US$10 million was to be signed between the World Bank and Minister of Finance Ashni Singh before the end of May. She noted that the unions were expected to meet Education Minister, Priya Manickchand, for an update on this but that too did not occur.
“To date, the administration indicated that all of the preconditions have been met. Not sure what the hold-up is but the impact of the hold-up is devastating to the campus,” Ifill further stated.
Meanwhile, Dr Francis, who led the picketers around the Turkeyen campus made brief remarks. “We want the administration to be empowered so they can negotiate with us. The problem is that Compton Bourne… has never asked to speak with us. We are saying that Bourne must go,” she said as she spoke to approximately 25 workers who gathered.
She called for a new council consisting of persons who are interested in the university’s business and who have the capacity, character and the experience to be able to manage the university.
“The university is not a cake shop, the university is not a trading post where you buying and selling sardines and other things. This is a different kind of institution. We have to have the kind of leadership who can lead academics, who can lead cleaners, who can lead various levels of persons. Right now we don’t have that. We are calling on the government to change this council,” she argued.
She further stated that the next picket will be aimed at Pro Chancellor Dr Prem Misir. “He is the pro chancellor, what has he done for us? Nothing! Nothing! Just empty promises. Our next picket will be off campus… we will prevail, no matter how long it takes. You have to make up your minds like the sugar workers, the workers at Rusal, the bauxite workers; we have to make up our minds. We in this fight,” she added.
The UG release said industrial action should be seen as the last resort if better conditions of work and study are being sought.
It added that such action may have long-term unforeseen consequences.
According to the release, the UG administration is of the opinion that all parties have endeavoured to adhere to the terms of resumption and to work together. It pointed out that there are other ways to express concern which will not serve to renew tensions among the parties.
It also made mention of its continuous commitment to meaningful dialogue with the university’s unions since such consultations are considered to be in the best interest of all parties.
