Workers from Guyana Goldfields Inc’s Aurora Gold Mine (AGM) are currently preparing letters to send to the Ministry of Social Protection’s Department of Labour and the company, giving them one month’s notice of a pending strike if the issues preventing them from being unionised are not sorted out as soon as possible.
This development comes after the proposed union – the National Mine Workers Union of Guyana (NMWUG) – walked out of a meeting with the Department of Labour on Tuesday. The union is currently pursuing certification to represent workers from AGM, following industrial unrest last month.
The NMWUG President, Sherwayne Downer, had told Stabroek News that they were of the opinion that the meeting was organised in order for them to complete the process of becoming the official union for the workers since they have already garnered and submitted over 300 applications and signatures from supporting employees.
However, instead of that happening, Downer said that AGM’s Human Resources Manager Peter Benny began lecturing them, which prompted them to walk out. Since then, the NMWUG has not received any word from either the Department of Labour or the Canada-headquartered company on the next step.
Speaking to Stabroek News yesterday afternoon, Downer said that currently, the workers are preparing two letters that will be sent to the company, the ministry and the union.
He emphasised that because the union is still not certified, the workers are the ones who are penning and sending the letters.
One letter will be to show support and solidarity, and to indicate their allegiance to the NMWUG, while the next will be to inform the company and the ministry of a pending strike if the issues are not resolved.
“We are not taking these issues lightly. It is also alleged that there is collusion between the ministry and company,” Downer said, while noting that he received information from the workers that Labour Minister Keith Scott was canvassing for another union.
He highlighted that he believes that what is currently taking place is an attempt to frustrate and derail the entire process.
“We already submitted 300 signed forms. No one has indicated that they wished to no longer be a part. I’ve been repeatedly asking them if any one of them desires to leave and it is always a resounding no. We have overwhelming command and support from the workers,” Downer said.
Last month, over 100 workers downed their tools after fears that they would be made redundant and not paid severance. Those fears arose after workers heard that a private mining contractor would be taking over the operations of most of AGM and would be bringing in their contracted employees.
The Social Protection Ministry had met with the aggrieved workers shortly after and was able to listen to their concerns and hear about the issues faced at the Aurora Mine in Cuyuni. The ministry had also promised to expedite the process to have the union become the recognised representative of the workers.
On July 15th, the company had announced through a circular that it would be addressing issues raised at the meeting, including a raise in wages and salaries, among other things.
The circular also addressed the issue of the unofficial union and said that the company is happy for the employees to engage in discussions about the possibility of a union, as per the laws and regulations of the country.
While in July, only workers at the Aurora mine had downed their tools, Downer said that this time, workers from Aurora, as well as Buckhall and Tapir are ready to start industrial action if the situation continues unabated.
Downer added that they are asking the company and the Department of Labour to be part of the process and to not try to obfuscate.
