| Former workers of the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) – a subsidiary of Russian Bauxite United Company (UC) RUSAL – yesterday met with the Labour Ministry seeking its intervention in getting the company to negotiate wages and salaries for 2009, among other pending issues.Over the years, workers have been complaining about the “inhumane” conditions, management’s refusal to negotiate and the alleged refusal to have their workers unionised.The workers, while accusing the former regime of turning a blind eye to the plights of workers, were somewhat optimistic yesterday after they received word that the Labour Ministry, will be meeting with the management of the Russian Company later this week to discuss pending issues which has over the last seven years, caused the outcry of almost 70 workers.November 2009, almost 60 workers opted to take industrial action after their demands for increases in wages and salaries, and better working conditions went unsatisfied by the BCGI. This resulted in the union who was representing the workers at that time, the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers’ Union (GBGWU), to intervene.It was reported that during the discussions between the union and the company later in 2009, when the issue of salary and wage increase was raised,Throwback Jerseys, the General Manager (GM),NFL Jerseys Cheap, slammed his palms against the desk, rose up and shouted “I will not discuss wages and salaries”,Andre Branch Dolphins Jersey, before walking out.Workers have pointed out that since then,Cheap Sports Jerseys, the BCGI has been denying workers the right to be unionized. Any efforts by employees to push for union representation, has allegedly resulted in dismissal or “indefinite suspension”.Workers who were also vocal in support of their fellow workmates were served dismissal letters which stated, “This letter is served to inform you that the company has lost confidence in you as an employee and can no longer have you continue in employment here at BCGI.”In some cases, workers were reportedly dismissed for “propagandising”.In 2010, five workers were allegedly dismissed after they accused management of cooking meals with expired items.One of the workers stated, yesterday, that the man who was the Head Cook at that time, owned a supermarket and he would often supply expired items to the kitchen. A cook, who knew about this, informed five of the staff. The matter was taken to management and at the end of their 14-day shift they were paid and served dismissal letters.The situation has now intensified following the recent laying off of three Machine Operators after they refused to operate a “defective” excavator.BCGI in response, wrote a letter to one of the operators informing him that “every effort” will be made to have the equipment repaired and seeks his cooperation in operating the equipment in “like manner as those fellow workers who have been currently operating same “ until the repairs were made.The letter continued, “Because of repeated reluctance by you and the two others, also concerns raised about your health, management has decided to let you remain off the job without pay until further notice”.The three workers, who have all worked for in excess of seven years with the company, told Kaieteur News yesterday that management did not give them assurance when the repairs will be carried out hence, it is their belief that they have been dismissed.All efforts by this publication to contact the company were futile.Speaking to the General Secretary of the Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC), Lincoln Lewis, yesterday, he stated that the “ball is now in the Minister’s court”.Lewis pointed out that the “Behaviour of Rusal from 2009 to present has intensified based upon the reluctance of the government to use their political power to deal with the issue.“They (BCGI) cannot operate in this country and break the law,http://www.airmaxfantasy.us.com/574-New-Balance/, they’re asking for certain concessions…they’re asking for more lands,Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping, more rights to mine and to explore and they’re violating laws…it has to come to a stop!” Lewis said. |
