Workers attached to the Blairmont and Uitvlugt Estates on Thursday picketed their respective estates, calling for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) to treat them equally with their colleagues while having fair policies.
In a press statement, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) explained that the workers picketed in an attempt to voice their dissatisfaction over unequal treatment at this estate.
The press release further stated that workers have claimed that some of their colleagues received large pay increases in recent times.
Their concern was brought to the attention of the estate management, who were expected to provide a response today. However, when they arrived at the meeting, the management said they could not provide an answer.
The workers enquired when it would be possible to hear from the estate, but the management remained evasive. This resulted in the workers becoming angry since they felt that the management was unconcerned about the issues raised.
Meanwhile, at Blairmont Estate, the field foreman/forewomen were annoyed by the decision of the sugar company to award pay raises selectively.
The foremen/forewomen pointed out that some of their recently confirmed colleagues were given pay raises, and they were not.
As a result, the new foremen/forewomen are enjoying rates of pay over their colleagues who have functioned in their posts for longer periods.
The company had informed that the selected workers sat an examination and, based on their scores, were awarded additional pay increments.
In that vein, the long-serving foremen/forewomen sought an opportunity also to sit the examination to determine whether they could benefit from further increments like their colleagues.
This suggestion was reiterated at a meeting on Tuesday between GAWU and GuySuCo. Surprisingly, the Union was told that the company was not inclined in such a direction.
The response upset the workers, who felt that the sugar company was not treating them fairly and inequitably.
Though the Corporation said it would provide a response, the workers are convinced that given the expressions and demeanour of the company at the meeting, their concerns would be treated insincerely.
Comentarios