The Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) has once again found itself at an impasse with the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc (BCGI) after the union rejected a proposed wage increase of 4.5 percent.
This was revealed to Stabroek News yesterday by General Secretary of the union, Lincoln Lewis who explained that the decision was made following a meeting with the company on Monday.
Lewis said that BCGI, which is owned by Russian company, RUSAL, had sent them a letter on August 20, setting out their proposal for a 4.5 percent increase for 2019, which he said they did not accept.
As a result, in a response to the company, Lewis advised that they have been attempting to deal with the problem of wages since 2009 and also made submissions of their proposal.
From 2009 to 2013, the Union is suggesting a 5.5 percent increase for each year, and from 2015 to this year, the Union suggested a 6.5 percent increase for each year.
“Please also be reminded that we cannot accept that wages at [BCGI] will be less than industry levels. We expect a favourable response to our reasonable proposal. We cannot ignore the ten years that you have lagged behind. If, however, there is no agreement reached, we will exercise our right to request arbitration,” the letter which was sent to the company on Tuesday stated.
The union had stressed to the company that they are looking for parity as it relates to wages, salaries and working conditions in Region 10 and wider, and that they will not accept any proposal that is less than what is being paid at Chinese bauxite miner, BOSAI for the same job categories.
Lewis had noted that the minimum and maximum wage that BCGI currently pays are $335 and $655 per hour respectively, while the minimum and maximum rates that exist at BOSAI are $520 and $950 per hour respectively.
As a result, they proposed a minimum of $572 and a maximum of $1040 per hour.
Because of the impasse the Union also wrote to the Department of Labour of the Ministry of Social Protection requesting conciliation on August 20.
“The protracted delay and prevarication on the issue of increase wages and the company’s reluctance in meeting constantly to negotiate a contract is of grave concern. A decision has been taken to request conciliation with a view of moving this process forward,” the letter read.
The two sides are set to meet again next Tuesday to hammer out the issues.
The industrial action by BCGI workers started on February 15 after the company unilaterally imposed a one per cent increase in wages. Workers also cited other unaddressed issues, including BCGI’s unwillingness to recognise the union as the workers’ bargaining agent.
On March 20, the month-long standoff between workers and BCGI came to an end after BCGI agreed to reinstate 61 sacked workers and negotiate a new Collective Labour Agreement (CLA) with the workers’ union.
Following the firing of scores of striking colleagues, workers strung oil barrels and jars on wires across the Berbice River, blocking the passage of barges leaving and entering the mining site at Aroaima. Facing pressure, the government intervened and subsequently the union and the company began a bilateral engagement which led to the signing of the Terms of Reference and the reinstatement of dismissed workers.
Even though more than four months has passed since the initial actions by the workers, there seems to be no solution on the horizon as both Union and Company are hesitant to concede to the other’s terms.
GB&GWU has had longstanding grievances with BCGI going all the way back to 2009.
