| The Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) is sticking with its stance to negotiateGPL and the workers’ unions are deadlocked in salary negotiations.separately with two workers’ unions.Both the National Association of Agricultural Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), and the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) had been demanding that GPL meet with both to negotiate, but the power company has refused, leading to a walkout on Tuesday.According to GPL in a statement yesterday, it has two separate and distinct Collective Labour Agreements (CLA) – with NAACIE and with GPSU.NAACIE represents non-managerial staff, whilst GPSU is representing managerial staff.GPL said that these are two distinct and separate categories of staff, each with its own level of responsibility and accountability.The CLAs would have expired since December 2003. GPL said it has submitted proposals to both unions to re-negotiate the terms and conditions of the agreements, and invited the parties to enter negotiations, but neither “union appears inclined to do so”.“Indeed, between October 2013 and August 2014, GPL has written to NAACIE and GPSU a dozen times inviting them to commence negotiations, including negotiations for wages and salaries. Both unions refused to attend meetings.”As a matter of fact GPL said that the unions have proposed to enter into joint negotiations with GPL. “They have proffered not a single valid or commonsense argument in support of their argument.”GPL said it rejected the proposal as, among other things, it has distinct and separate CLAs with the two.“Each union has distinct certificates of recognition as sole bargaining agents for different categories of workers at GPL.”GPL also said that in the past, it negotiated separately with the two unions and that there is nothing in the existing CLAs or in Law, to require it to agree to joint negotiations.“GPL has considered the arguments put forward by the unions in their demand for joint negotiations and finds them to be without substance or merit. Non-managerial and management staff negotiating jointly for salaries and wages will likely engender conflicts of interest.”GPL said that on October 30, it received a notice of ultimatum from both unions giving the company one month’s notice that they will take the necessary actions they see fit, if the company does not agree to joint negotiations.Following the ultimatum, the Ministry of Labour intervened, as a conciliator. “Two meetings were held at the Ministry and both unions and GPL presented their respective arguments. The Chief Labour Officer declared the matter deadlocked.”GPL said it again pleaded with the unions and invited them, yet again, on December 9 to commence negotiations.“Mr. Kenneth Joseph, General Secretary of NAACIE, agreed verbally that his union will commence negotiations on 9th December, 2014. Lo and behold,Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys, representatives of GPSU turned up at the meeting. This was contrary to the letter, spirit and understanding of our letter of invitation to NAACIE and the verbal telephone conversation between our HR Director, Mr. Balgobin Persaud and Mr. Joseph.”GPL said it expressed its continued desire to start negotiations, but that GPSU representatives would not be permitted to be present during the negotiations.“NAACIE refused and left. We reiterate our call to enter separate negotiations with NAACIE and GPSU and will strongly encourage them to participate early so that our staff can be paid in time for the holidays.” |
