[www.inewsguyana.com] – Protest action by employees of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) continued today (Wednesday, January 07) as they demand a 35% increase in wages & salary.
The protest initially commenced in November 2014 but came to a halt after a proposal was put forward by GGMC management for an interim payout of 8%, across the board, while discussions continued on a 35% increase.
The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) is now claiming that management’s failure to pay the salary increases has forced workers to take to the streets once more.
According to Senior Industrial Relations Officers at the GPSU, Denis English a meeting was held this morning with the management of the GGMC but it was futile.
He remains hopeful that there will be a satisfactory outcome so that employees can return to work. English told the media that the Union was informed that a document was submitted to the Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud for payment to be made but does not understand why it has not been paid.
Meanwhile, the management of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) says the protest action taken by its employees is an act of “bad faith” given the fact that discussions and engagements were on-going between the Union and the Commission.
GGMC in a media release noted that it has honored the terms and conditions of the signed Terms of Resumption of Work and has worked “assiduously and tirelessly to achieve amicable resolution to the issues.”
“In this regard, the Commission has reiterated the need to abide by the standing agreement between the Guyana Public Service Union and the Commission for the Recognition and Avoidance and Settlement of Disputes, which clearly identifies the steps to be taken to resolve the current issues. Deviations from these enshrined protocols can be construed as acts of bad faith, more so given that discussions and engagements were on-going between the Union and the Commission,” the GGMC noted.
According to the Commission, all necessary measures and mechanisms will be instituted to ensure that the work of the Commission is not unduly disrupted by what it considers to be an “illegal industrial action.” [Tracey Khan – Drakes]
