GPL workers walk off job over protracted wage talks
Stabroek News
November 13, 2002
Non-essential operations at Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) were disrupted yesterday when workers walked off the job in protest at delays in negotiations over wages/salaries increases.
The industrial action came at a time when the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), the union that represents some of the workers, and the management of GPL are locked in discussions with the Ministry of Labour on a pay package for the workers.
About four hours after the workers took to the street, General President of NAACIE, Kenneth Joseph convinced them to return to work, pointing out that the union and the company were engaged in negotiations.
He is hoping that a decision would be taken at the next meeting which is scheduled for tomorrow.
NAACIE had earlier in the year proposed a 30% increase for its staff, but this was rejected by the company’s management.
Yesterday’s strike saw more than 50 workers taking to the street. Public Relations Officer of GPL, Marjorie Chester told Stabroek News that the company was not forewarned about the strike. She confirmed that operations at the company’s main business location on Main Street were severely affected yesterday since most of the workers who protested were the ones who usually man the vital sections of the Main Street office.
She observed that workers attached to the Lamaha Transmission and Distribution section were the first to hit the road and that 20 of them marched from Lamaha Street to Main Street and called on their colleagues to join the strike.
Chester could not give an account of the effects of the strike at the other locations, but reported that workers in other parts of the country had protested also. Stabroek News was unable to make contact with GPL management yesterday.
When Stabroek News visited GPL’s headquarters on Main Street the gate was closed and security officers were on high alert. Workers were standing in front of the office, while customers who turned up to pay their bills and conduct other business had to return home without doing so.
There were no chants or placards. Similar action occurred at the company’s offices in Middle Street, Sophia and Victoria, New Amsterdam and Onverwagt, a union representative reported.
Joseph told this newspaper that bilateral talks between his union and the company began in March and ended in October. He said during that period the company was unequivocal in its decision not to pay the 30% increase but stated that it could pay 5% instead. Joseph said his union later moved down to 17% but the company was still reluctant to move higher than 5%. According to Joseph NAACIE’s position is that if its workers are to accept any increase it would have to be in double figures.
Responding to a question, Joseph said “while we did not call a strike, because for us to have done so we would have had to give the company a 30 days ultimatum, NAACIE adopted the strike.”
The union represents senior and junior staff, clerical workers and other staff including pole planters etc. (Nigel Williams)
