RUSAL recognises union, to begin talks this week
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DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Bilateral talks between the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) and the Russian Bauxite Company, RUSAL will begin on March 15, following a decision by the bauxite company to recognise the union as the legitimate body representing workers’ rights.
The decision came after a meeting today between the Ministry of Social Protection’s Department of Labour, the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union and RUSAL representatives.
Chief Labour Officer, Charles Ogle, General Secretary of the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU), Lincoln Lewis, Director of Aluminum and Bauxite Department, Vladimir Permyakov and Personnel Manager, Mikhail Krupenin attended the meeting.
“We believe that this exercise is going to be one where we start building trust and confidence because it’s necessary that both sides, the union and the company work together,” General Secretary of the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU), Lincoln Lewis told media operatives following the meeting.
Lewis said, “the issue of recognition is not on the table” and that the company has made it clear that GB&GWU is the recognised union. He added that the move is in the interest of the workers, the company and the nation as a whole.
The union’s president commended the workers who stood their ground in the face of adversity. “What happened here today, was made possible by those workers,” he pointed out.
According to Lewis, a time and place for the meetings are still to be decided but he promised to update the labour department on the discussions.
The GB&GWU will be supplying RUSAL with a list of issues to be addressed by Wednesday. Among these are future wage negotiations, relationships, occupational health and safety.
RUSAL has been butting heads with Guyanese workers at its Aroaima, Region 10, operation after more than 61 workers were dismissed following strike actions last month. Thirty more were later informed that their services were no longer required.
The government had fully supported the Guyanese workers and made it clear to RUSAL that GB&GWU is a legitimate body and must be respected by any company operating in Guyana.
Synieka Thorne
Images: Jules Gibson