Solidarity with shopsteward Singh

Representative Khemraj Singh of the LBI Estate was summarily dismissed by the Management of East Demerara Estate on February 27, 2007 “for violating the grievance procedure by instigating, organizing and mobilizing the current industrial action” as stated in a previous Estate letter addressed to him dated February 13, 2007

The industrial action referred to was a two day work stoppage – February 12 and 13, 2007 – by factory workers who were protesting the denial of work on Sunday (February 11, 2007) to worker Rambarran

Rambarran on (Thursday) February 08, 2007 declined to undertake to repair a hole on the No 3 Boiler after he was required to climb a height of over twelve (12) feet to effect the repair. His manager in the factory referred him to the Medex who upon examining him concluded that he was suffering from height phobia (fear of undertaking assignments many feet above the ground)

It was felt by workers that Rambarran, who in the interest of his safety declined to climb the height was unjustifiably denied work.

Thus, the overwhelming majority of the workforce in the factory decided that Rambarran should be paid for the Sunday (February 11) and sought the assistance of the three (3) representatives to represent the claim accordingly to Management.

Clearly the Management did not ponder the workers’ claim but promptly rejected it. The representatives on reporting to the workers the Management’s answer decided to take protest action from about 08:30h on February 12th for two days. As such Singh and his two (2) colleagues reported to Management the workers’ decision.

To the surprise of the workers and the Union, Singh was singled out and was summarily dismissed as indicated on February 27, 2007.

Against that background, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) wishes to note that it was not only Khemraj Singh who took strike-action. Singh and his two colleagues merely communicated the decision of the workers to Management. Clearly in carrying out trade union representation Singh was victimized. Singh’s dismissal might be the beginning of similar victimization of other representatives could be a logical fear by GAWU now. The action of the Management is tantamount to union-busting.

Singh is a shop steward of the Union. If it is felt that he acted improperly as a unionist the Corporation should have engaged the Union on the matter.

It is now incumbent on the Union and the workers as a matter of principle and for the protection of workers’ rights, to do everything to have Management’s decision rescinded.

At a conciliation meeting on March 06, 2007, Chief Labour Officer, Mohammed Akeel found no evidence that Cde K. Singh organised, mobilised or instigated the strike. He therefore, recommended that the decision of the Management of East Demerara Estate be varied. In other words he called upon the Guyana Sugar Corporation to reinstate Singh.

Guysuco has since insisted on “sustaining” the dismissal of the Shop Steward and is lobbing for arbitration. GAWU interprets this turning down of the Chief Labour Officer’s finding as yet another attempt to undermine the integrity of trade unionism and the Chief Labour Officer’s position.

GAWU has no choice therefore, but to support the continued industrial action at LBI. The Union’s Executive meets on Saturday (March 10) to decide on further solidarity activities both within the Union’s membership and from the offers of colleague unions who are poised to show strong practical support.