Dear Editor,
On 25th March, 2010 the Pegasus Hotel had applied for the de-recognition of the CCWU. At present the CCWU is still the recognized agent for the workers of the Pegasus Hotel. Mr Robert Badal is in clear breach of the Trade Union Recognition Act 1997 section 23(1) and 23 (3).
The CCWU intends to go on an offensive with any employer who believes that the time is ripe to ignore collective labour agreements (CLAs) signed on behalf of the workers. The CCWU observed that of late a number of employers are moving to change working conditions which have been agreed to without any recourse to the union. There seems to be a calculated move by employers to drive fear into workers by insisting that they must do what the employer requires although the direction contravenes a collective labour agreement. This approach conflicts with ILO conventions and recommendations.
The CCWU is not going to sit idly by and allow labour agreements to be thrown aside by any company. Labour agreements set out clearly the rights of both employers and employees and must be respected. Those employers who do not respect workers’ rights can expect a confrontation with the CCWU. We are a responsible union and take pride in that. We will give our members the kind of representation that they deserve.
The CCWU met with Mr Badal on the 27th August, 2010, and outlined the union position regarding the recognition to represent the workers of Pegasus. The union pointed out to Mr Badal, that it is the Recognition Board that gives recognition to a union after it is satisfied that the criteria have been met, and that it is the same Board which issues notices of de-recognition. We also pointed out that there were a number of workers who had not signed the letter indicating their wish to be out of the union and as such he was required to deduct union dues from those workers. We are now calling on the new Ministers of the Ministry of Social Protection to use their good offices and recommend that this matter be taken to court.
To date our records reveal that we are still the recognized trade union with the authority to represent the workers of the Pegasus Hotel, therefore Mr Badal’s refusal to deduct and remit union dues from the employees that have given the Pegasus Hotel management authority to do so constitutes a breach of clause 17 of the Avoidance and Settlement of Disputes, which was signed on the 9th May 1970.
Even though we are in receipt of letters signed by some employees withdrawing their membership, there are still a number of them who did not, and as such the Pegasus Hotel management is required by our agreement to deduct and remit same to the union until the management has been directed differently by these employees or by the Trade Union Recognition and Certification Board.
The CCWU has raised serious complaints about the long delays in the de-recognition process that has weakened the trade union movement in Guyana.
The CCWU has also raised strong objection to both the GTUC and FITUG about the holding of joint workers’ activity at the Pegasus Hotel, since the CCWU is affiliated to the umbrella body. The Caribbean Employers’ Confederation, the Carib-bean Congress of Labour and the International Labour Organization are holding a forum there on 30th September, 2015.
Yours faithfully,
Sherwood Clarke
President
Clerical & Commercial Workers
Union
