Negotiations are still underway between the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) on increases on wages and salaries for workers.
Following a five-day strike, workers resumed duties last Monday after terms of resumption were agreed, including the payout of an 8% interim increase in salaries.
GPSU had proposed a 15% interim increase as negotiations continued after failed talks for a 30% salary increase for 2013. However, this was not agreed upon by the Board of GGMC.
According to the terms of resumption, which were agreed upon by both sides after conciliation discussions by the Labour Ministry, the union was required to call off the strike involving its members and there was to be full resumption by 8am last Monday and not on Friday as was previously reported.
It also agreed that the GGMC Board would endeavor to payout, without prejudice, the interim 8% increase within five working days of full resumption of work by the employees. The increase is to be computed on the employees’ salaries as at January, 2014.
In addition, within 72 hours of full resumption of work, the parties were to meet bilaterally and discuss the issues which gave the rise to the strike and continue their discussions to have the issue resolved.
Senior Industrial Relations Officer Dennis English told Stabroek News that the two sides met and negotiations are still underway. He also said that he was optimistic that sometime on Tuesday there will be some compromise so that the issue is resolved and things go back to normal.
