After taking note of reports regarding a difference of opinion between the Guyana Power & Light Inc (GPL) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial & Industrial Employees (NAACIE) over an increase in wages and salaries, the Ministry of Labour held a conciliation meeting with both parties on Thursday.
A release from the Ministry said that when it was approached for conciliation services, it was informed that there was a “breakdown in negotiations for the year 2021” between NAACIE and GPL.
However, at Thursday’s meeting, it was established that there was no breakdown, but the union was simply seeking to meet with GPL to negotiate wages and salary increases. GPL was not meeting with the union as much as it is obligated to under the Trade Union Recognition Act, hence the request for the Ministry’s intervention, the release said.
Thursday’s meeting was held in the boardroom of the ministry’s Lot 82 Brickdam head office and saw in attendance representatives from both the union and company (GPL). GPL was represented by Loyette Williams, Senior Labour and Employee Relations Officer; Bal Parsaud, Human Resources Director; and Renford Homer, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO). NAACIE was represented by Savitri Thomas, Clerical Assistant; Karen Mapp, General Secretary; and Dornel McFarlane, Executive Member- Demerara Representation.
Following a discussion between the two parties, the release said that it was agreed that GPL will meet with the union on January 13, 2022, to resume their bilateral relations and commence negotiations for wages and salary increases.
The Chief Labour Officer (CLO), Dhaneshwar Deonarine who facilitated the process thanked both parties for their efforts in approaching an amicable resolution.. He charged them to continue their relationships and added that the Ministry was happy to facilitate the conciliation process.
