On behalf of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), the union representing the overwhelming majority of the nation’s sugar workers, I wish to join with the Master of Ceremonies in welcoming you to this observance which follows our annual pilgrimage to the gravesite of the five martyrs at the Le Repentir Cemetery this morning.

This annual, national event, serves not only to keep the memory of the martyrs alive, but also must be a reminder that the strides in terms of growth and improvements have been fertilized with the blood and heroic struggles of our working class historically.

At this time, though we have scored several successes in various fields, we remain vigilant that the gains are not reversed. We must remember there is still a long way to go and other goals to be reached. And, we must not forget the lessons that these martyrs have given us – among which is our militancy and unity and firmness in our just demands. Read the rest of this entry »

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union takes great pride in the publication of this very valuable selection of speeches by our late Honorary President, Comrade Cheddi Jagan.

We have chosen to launch our Book “President Cheddi Jagan speaks on Environment and Development 1992-1997” in the middle of Environment week, with the confidence that it will serve as a source of education and inspiration for all who cherish our global and local environment and wish to contribute to its protection.

As a Union representing a sizeable section of the Guyanese working class, GAWU has always been inspired by Dr. Jagan’s placement of people at the center of all development. His unwavering commitment to the cause of the working people is clearly brought out in the book as he shows with great clarity the dialectical link between the urgency of national development to improve the lives of the people and the need to protect the earth and its resources from the damage caused by uncontrolled production methods geared at increasing profits. Read the rest of this entry »

Introduction

On behalf of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), allow me to extend a hearty and fraternal welcome to those of you gathered here. I also wish to take the opportunity to salute all the workers of our country on this special day. It is pleasing to observe the overwhelming turnout and I wish to express my Union’s appreciation to all of you who participated in the march from the Parade Ground through many streets in Georgetown preceding this Rally. Today, we are celebrating this red-letter day under the theme “Responding to Global Challenges through Trade Union Initiatives and Solidarity” and thus from this rostrum, I wish to extend greetings and solidarity with our fraternal brothers and sisters throughout the world.

Comrades, May Day provides us with the opportunity to reflect on the situation confronting the working class, especially the occurrences over the last year. Indeed, there have been positive developments in our country, in our region and in the world. There have also been setbacks.

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The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), the major representatives of and bargaining agent for Guyana’s sugar workers wishes to place on record its considered views on the current months-long industrial dispute involving the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GBGWU) and the Russian Bauxite Company BCGI/RUSAL.

What started out as the Union’s simple but fundamental demand for increased wages and the re-instatement of a certain type of overtime pay later blossomed into a prolonged dispute now involving recognition, questionable terminations, union-busting and alleged violations of both local and international labour laws and conventions. Read the rest of this entry »

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) yesterday (April 13, 2010) inked a long awaited Agreement which allows the Union to become the bargaining agent for the Bridge’s forty (40) person workforce. The Agreement styled the Recognition And the Avoidance And Settlement of Disputes outlines the conduct of relationship between the Union and the Company. Read the rest of this entry »

The principles and sentiments of some messages need not change from year to year even when actual objective circumstances do.

The culmination of the Christian Lenten Season of self-sacrifice and cleansing happens over this week-end into the beginning of the new Holy Week. Easter is upon us and, like Christmas, it envelopes even non-Christians. This is because, with its Resurrection Story after its prophesied Crucifixion, HOPE is offered to mankind, through yet another Faith. Read the rest of this entry »

Almost all of the just over four hundred (400) workers attached to Diamond Estate today (March 30, 2010) staged a spirited picketing exercise in front of the Field Office of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (Guysuco) at Diamond, East Bank Demerara protesting against Guysuco not wanting to award them their Severance Pay as they are no longer required to work permanently at Diamond. The picketing exercise will continue tomorrow. The Diamond cultivation which comprises some 6,000 acres is slated for closure. The Corporation’s Blueprint for Success, also described as the Turnaround Plan, released last April confirmed the cultivation’s closure. Since last year all categories of workers but the cane harvesters were instructed to take up work at the LBI and Enmore locations – miles away from their homes and their regular workplace.  Read the rest of this entry »