-welcomes return to collective bargaining
The Working People’s Alliance (WPA) yesterday welcomed the return of collective bargaining but says the government’s recent wage hike for public servants is inadequate.
In a statement, the WPA noted the recent announcement of wage packages for three categories of workers—those in the Public Service, at the University of Guyana and at GuySuCo.
“Whenever workers win an increase in wages, it is a reminder that power concedes nothing without a struggle. In a country where successive governments have been stingy when it comes to workers’ compensation, even a small increase must be attributed to the tenacity of the workers and their organizations. In that regard, even though WPA feels that they deserve much more than the government appears willing to give, we take this opportunity to salute the working people for surviving to fight another round. We say to the workers and the labour movement, let not your spirits be crushed”, the party said.
It added that the return to collective bargaining is a major development which is much more than a symbolic victory for labour.
“The fact that the government was forced to talk to the unions signifies a shift from the callous attitude which has hitherto become normative by those charged with ensuring the welfare and socio-economic security of all of our citizens”, the statement said.
The WPA posited the view that the industrial action by the teachers and their union earlier this year was a pivotal factor in this shift.
“The teachers strike exposed to the world the embarrassing truth of a party which extolls the virtues of workers rights while at the same time crushing the workers’ movement in its pursuit of political domination. WPA says to the teachers and the GTU that you are the true heroes of this moment. The workers of all races and political persuasions owe you am eternal debt”, the party said.
The WPA said that the eventual offer to the workers fell way short of a living wage.
“WPA does not know what the counter offers from the unions were, but the fact that the packages were almost identical suggests that the government entered the negotiations with a fixed position. While workers in the face of rising cost of living will obviously welcome the increases, this should not be interpreted as satisfaction with the package. The workers know very well the limitations of the packages”, the party added.
It said that an objective examination of the packages, taking into consideration all the attendant factors, reveals that workers at the lower and mid-levels of the wage sale would not see much change in their ability to ameliorate the crippling effects of the high cost of living.
In light of the increase in revenues from the oil sector and the government’s willingness to spend large sums in other areas of the economy, the WPA says that much more should have been offered to the workers.
The party also bemoaned the government’s inability to articulate a clear wage policy.