Opposition Leader David Granger and APNU shadow ministers held a wide-ranging consultation with GTUC leaders and affiliates and agreed to draft a strategy aimed at addressing issues such as trade union rights and the high cost of living.
A press release from the Office of the Opposition said Granger, GTUC President Norris Witter and General Secretary Lincoln Lewis discussed the current “precarious” state of governance, particularly the PPP/C Administration’s continuing and systematic programme of assault on trade union rights. This includes the failure to observe Collective Bargaining agreements; the continued state of lawlessness due to the ignoring and subversion of the constitutional and legal guarantees afforded to workers and the pauperisation of workers through low wages, the 16% VAT rate and the high cost of living.
The groups share a joint interest in ensuring that that the primacy of the National Assembly is respected; good governance is restored; the executive is accountable to the nation and that there is transparency in the dealings of the administration, the release said. As such, they agreed to develop a strategy for cooperation and collaboration that should be implemented as a matter of urgency.
According to the release, APNU shadow ministers for labour and legal affairs, Basil Williams; finance and development, Carl Greenidge; agriculture, natural resources and the environment Dr Rupert Roopnaraine; local government and development, Ronald Bulkan and policy adviser Lance Carberry were also present.
The GTUC delegation also included executive members from affiliates GWU, GLGOU, UGWU, UAAWU, GTU, GPSU, GPTWU and the ATGWU.
