By Jomo Paul
This march heralds the university workers fourth week of industrial action as they call on the University’s administration and government to provide an increase to their salaries.
The workers are asking at the administration meet their minimum demands for them to return to their posts at the university, which is at a virtual standstill over the absence of workers.
President of the University of Guyana Workers Unions (UGWU), Bruce Haynes told iNews that he is not disappointed with the poor turn out to the march.
He said that while the number was small, the message was clear explaining that it was important to note that those who were not in the march were not on campus either.
He pointed out there was just about 700 persons employed by the University; this would mean that only 10% of the workers turned out to the march on Monday.
The march is expected to culminate at Manget place on Brickdam and Haynes told iNews that it is there that the a decision would be taken on where the workers would proceed with respect to industrial action to have their demands met.
A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament, James Bond was also a part of the march from the university to Georgetown. Meanwhile, the University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS) has formed a special committee to see that the crisis at UG is resolved post haste with lecturers returning to lecture halls.
According release from the UGSS, a letter was sent to the Labour Minister, requesting an intervention on behalf of the students; however it is unclear whether a response has been given.
It was also noted that the UGSS plan to appeal to international organisations for assistance to bring the issue to a swift resolution.
The release said that the next step for UGSS would be to “apply pressure to both parties in order to achieve a return to the negotiating table and class normalcy. This will be done by pleading the case for the students in the media. Further, the students will plead their case to international organizations for intervention.”
