The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) has cautioned the Alliance For Change (AFC) for taking on labour issues such as salary increases with the government without first consulting with the respective trade unions.
The umbrella trade union body said, while it welcomed the party’s support in lobbying for better wages for workers, it was violating international conventions by its actions. Since winning seven seats in the National Assembly, AFC has been taking on a number of big issues.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the GTUC said the party’s comments were made in a statement carried in Thursday’s Stabroek News that the AFC had initiated meeting on Friday with President Donald Ramotar, and among the topics to be discussed are public sector wages and salaries.
“Particular note is taken of the statement. We also want to see an increase (in wages) and we are asking for 20 per cent increase. If it does not happen, and we get an eight or 10, fine, we will work along with that. We would want to see a rationale of why it can’t go higher.”
GTUC said it commends the AFC for taking onboard labour’s interests but wishes to record serious concern for its modus operandi in achieving these objectives outside of the realm of discussions, negotiations and agreement with the GTUC and /or the public sector represented unions.
“We would want to acknowledge that the actions of the AFC may be driven by a strong desire to see wages and salaries increase and workers empowered economically given its 2011 elections manifesto, and therefore cautions the AFC, that whereas their intent may be commendable, their proposed actions are in conflict with Articles 13 and 149 of the Constitution, Section 23 of the Trade Union Recognition Act, and ILO Conventions 87 and 98.”
According to GTUC, AFC must also be aware that its actions may also be interpreted as being supportive of poor governance, breach of industrial practices, and giving President Ramotar encouragement to micro-manage by ignoring the respective ministerial portfolios. “Importantly, such actions also leave no room to appeal to the presidential office if and when the need arises.”
The union said this is not to say that labour would not welcome support from any quarter. “As a political party, the AFC is welcomed to support the struggles of the labour movement for a living wage. The concerns of GTUC are grounded in the usurpation of roles by the AFC, government, or any other political party to determine or advance these positions outside of the framework of international conventions, universal laws and the Guyana Constitution which clearly state that wages and salaries negotiation fall within the purview of collective bargaining between the employer and the workers’ representative, in other words the trade unions.”
The union said disregarding this right to self-determination by trade unions is tantamount to violating fundamental rights, undermining the labour movement and continuing the spate of lawlessness which Guyana is still reeling from, and which “we expect the AFC to seek to change, if we are to ensure accountability, peaceful co-existence and national development.” GTUC said while recognising the need for public sector salaries and wages increases, it is not prepared to have any organisation, group or individual “regardless of our common interest, usurp the authority of unions and undermine labour’s role in representing workers. We expect the AFC not to join forces with President Ramotar to transgress workers’ rights, undermine ministerial portfolios, and violate our laws whether knowingly or unknowingly. GTUC expects AFC will respect the advice given here and will postpone any proposed attempt to negotiate public sector wages and salaries with President Ramotar until such time as the party has had proper engagement with the respective trade unions/workers representatives and together a plan is hashed out with the trade union playing its rightful role supported by the AFC, any other political party, individual or interest group, be it on wages and salaries in the sector or on a national minimum wage”.
“AFC is therefore urged, before they proceed further, to meet with the GTUC and the public sector unions, namely: the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU); Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU); National Association of Agriculture Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE); Amalgamated Transport and General Workers Union (AT&GWU); Guyana Postal and Telecommunication Union (PTWU); Union of Agricultural and Allied Workers (UAAW); Guyana Teachers Union (GTU); General Workers Union (GWU); and the National Union of Public Service Employees (NUPSE).”
The union said too that a letter outlying its concern has been dispatched to the AFC leaders.