Dear Editor,
Workers employed at the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) need the public’s support. They particularly need moral support and voices raise in support of the struggle and condemnation of RUSAL/BCGI and all those who lend them their support, directly or indirectly, covertly or by silence, in their violation against the Constitution and Laws of Guyana and transgression against their brothers and sisters in Aroaima and Kwakwani. In this matter silence is no longer an option that we must accept.
BCGI is jointly owned by the Government of Guyana and Russia Aluminum (RUSAL) in a 9:1 ratio favouring RUSAL. The presumptuous of RUSAL’s actions and the greatest concern is that what is done by RUSAL is done by the Government and has been done since 2009 under successive Government and Opposition, save and expect the Opposition of Robert Corbin who fought the Parliament and stood in solidarity on the streets with workers to bring pressure on the Bharrat Jagdeo government.
The Guyana Constitution, Article 147, protects the right to freedom of association, collective bargaining and strike action. Section 23 (1) of the Trade Union Recognition Act mandates engagement between management and trade union on the worker’s behalf. This is not an option for RUSAL/BCGI to determine whether to uphold or not to uphold. These laws of Guyana that shape and determine our sovereignty must be protected by the Government of Guyana.
Violation of these laws by BCGI constitute frontal attacks on Guyana’s most vulnerable, our sovereignty (laws). It insults the Government with whom it is in partnership by taking advantage of weaknesses, real or perceived. Further, the actions of BCGI stand in direct contravention of corporate ethics and obligations. As Guyanese we of the Guyana Bauxite & General Workers Union (GB&GWU) urge you to embrace the tenet of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. where he said: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.”
The facts of our grievances in brief are: on Monday 18th management dismissed 61 workers for daring to exercise their rights under the Constitution of Guyana. This follows their callous action of 2009 when 57 workers were dismissed without due process for similarly exercising their right to reject the imposition of wages. The current struggle escalated after strike action commenced on Friday 15th when management ordered the 120+ plus workers and their families who live in the resident compound (Mapletown) to vacate the premises, and sought to ensure this by providing transportation. Management has also withdrawn kitchen services for those who live off site but are roomed when on shift to work. These acts are not only disrespectful and draconian in nature they constitute violation of the right to collective bargaining and the workers’ conditions of employment. In essence, RUSAL/BCGI is belittling the People of Guyana, the workers of Guyana, our brothers and sisters in Kwakawani and Aroaima.
The Union, on behalf of aggrieved workers and their families, asks of the citizens of Guyana and all who possess the will and strength to help us in this struggle, irrespective of creed, ethnicity, geographical location or association, to stand in solidarity with us, as we demand from this Government and Opposition strident support and intervention to end the disrespect.
We ask that you share our story, wide and far, in every media space, social and otherwise to sensitise those around the world, particularly in countries where RUSAL has corporate interests or can be influenced. GB&GWU is a small union, in a small developing country, coming up against a large predatory conglomerate (RUSAL) whose actions and that of its principal actors are not without international concern for the dubious nature of its corporate and other behaviours.
To our Government and Opposition, under whose noses these transgressions have been occurring, we say in the words of the renowned trade unionist and politician, Lech Wa??sa: “The sole and basic source of our strength is the solidarity of workers, peasants and the intelligentsia, the solidarity of the nation, the solidarity of people who seek to live in dignity, truth, and in harmony with their conscience.”
We need every available understanding and support.
Yours faithfully,
Lincoln Lewis
General Secretary
GB&GWU