[www.inewsguyana.com] – The University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) and the University of Guyana Workers’ Union (UGWU) says it has rejected an offer made by the University’s Vice Chancellor (VC), Dr Jacob Opadeyi, thus their industrial action will continue, which will delay the start of the new semester.
A statement from UGWU noted that the VC’s offer is “woefully inadequate” and contradicted a report which appeared in a section of the media, attributed to the Vice Chancellor, suggesting that their salaries were increased.
“No concrete salaries and benefits proposal to any category of worker was offered by the Vice Chancellor in response to their demand for a 60% salary increase payable from March 2015; no offer has been made by the VC on duty-free concessions and increased allowances,” the Union noted.
According to the UGWU, there has been no withdrawal of the UG Administration’s workload policy from Council although a consultation schedule was proposed, which they have since accepted under the condition that the policy would not be approved by the University Council prior to the conclusion of consultations and the revision of the document.
“The UGSSA and UGWU remain united in our approach to salaries and benefits’ negotiations and reject the efforts by the Administration to divide workers by offering to negotiate separately with the UGWU but not the UGSSA.”
According to the statement, as it relates to salary increases, the VC did not offer any percentage.
“He merely states that negotiation has to wait until the University Administration has completed its work on how the increase will be funded.”
The statement further noted, “Indeed, it would be remiss of us if we do not frankly admit that these and other statements by the VC only widen the gulf of distrust between university staff and the VC.”
According to the Union, its members agreed that failing a positive response to its demands. the staff must take some form of industrial action to register its dissatisfaction and frustration.
“Staff, students and the general public are therefore advised that barring further communication from the Vice-Chancellor to accede to our demands by 4pm on Thursday January 22nd, 2015, industrial action will be taken to delay the start of the new semester.”
The UGSSA and UGWU say it stands ready to engage and conclude negotiations with the Administration.
