Hundreds of Guyana Oil Company (GUYOIL) workers took part in a countrywide sit-in on Wednesday after they were informed that they would not be receiving agreed increases in wages and salaries or bonus.
President of the Clerical and Commercial Workers’ Union (CCWU) Sherwood Clarke told Stabroek News that the industrial action was taken after management informed the workers of the decision.
Clarke explained that the CCWU, which represents supervisors, junior staff and security officers at the company, had submitted a proposal for negotiation on February 10th and negotiations commenced in July/August.
He noted that the board had a fiscal budget that had catered for an 8% increase for 2020 as well as a six-week bonus based on an agreement with the union for increases based on a performance appraisal system.
However, due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the board made the decision to revise the budget and reduce the previously agreed increase to 5% with a three-week bonus.
Clarke stated that at a meeting in August, the union was told that the company had seen some improvements in its performance and as a result the original 8% increase and six-week bonus would be reinstituted.
On December 18th, he said, GUYOIL’s management met again and informed the union that there would be no increase or bonus, angering workers as a result.
Clarke stated that the union could not understand the justification for the reasons and as a result the sit-in was done and the union demanded the reopening of negotiations.
The issue has since been referred to the Ministry of Labour for conciliation.
The Ministry is currently working to have an amicable solution for both parties as they work towards a resolution by the end of the year.
Clarke noted that the action resulted in senior employees having to man the pumps at some service stations and this had a negative impact on sales.
He added that the sit-in served to remind management to have respect for their employees and also reminded employees that their rights should be treated as a top priority by the company. He did, however, voice his disappointed at the way workers partaking in the sit-in at GUYOIL’s Kitty branch were asked to remove from the building by the Human Resources Manager.
Clarke added that it was unfair for the company to have ongoing promotions where it is engaged in giving away millions of dollars to customers but none to their employees.
He pointed out that the employees were deemed essential workers during the pandemic and had continued working through it all. He said management must be aware that the workers are not robots and that they too expect to have “something” from management at the end of the year.
Clarke further stated that the staff are very often victims of verbal and physical harassment as he highlighted the importance of the need for a proper working environment for pump attendants.
Meanwhile, GUYOIL’s General Manager, Trevor Bassoo, when contacted, told this newspaper that the matter is being dealt with by the Chief Labour Officer.
