Negotiations Update

Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund Committee (SILWFC)

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the Management of SILWFC agreed to a pay hike of eight (8) per cent for the Committee’s employees above the level of Senior Clerk and nine (9) per cent for employees at and below the level of Senior Clerk with effect from January 01, 2009. Other adjustments to the Collective Labour Agreement are as follows:-

• Cycle Allowance: an increase of five hundred dollars ($500) per month
• Christmas Bonus: employees up to the level of Senior Clerk: $28,000 and employees above the level of Senior Clerk: $35,000
• Meals Allowance: an increase by eight (8) per cent
• Shoe Allowance: an increase by five hundred dollars ($500)
• Uniforms: an additional rain coat to Building Inspectors

Caricom Rice Mills Limited

It was agreed between the Management of Caricom Rice Mills Limited and the Union for an across the board wage/salary increase by five (5) per cent with effect from January 01, 2009. Meal allowances would be increased by a like percentage.

The Agreement was reached against the background of what the Company contented as severe financial constraints resulting from its Boiler becoming defecting causing no milling of paddy during the period August to December, 2008. The Company said also that it suffered a loss of paddy due to spoilage.

Noble House Seafoods

Negotiations between the Management of Noble House Seafoods and the Union has commenced with regards to a wage/salary increases and certain improved conditions of work for the period April 01, 2009 to March 31, 2010.

The Union wants a pay hike of twelve (12) per cent along with adjustments to meals allowance and leave allowance. The Company complained of poor work attendance and has proposed a small across the board increase and a productive incentive package. The negotiations are continuing.

National Parks Commission

The Management of the National Parks Commission and the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) have recently commenced negotiations on the Union’s 39 proposals towards establishing a Collective Labour Agreement. It took the Union almost fifteen (15) years to become the bargaining agent of the Commission’s 130 person workforce.

The Union’s delegation is led by its General Secretary and includes the shop stewards and branch officers. The Commission is represented by its General Manager, a representative of the Board of Directors, the Deputy General Manager and its Internal Auditor. Negotiations are continuing.

Negotiations for the other non-sugar entities will commence in the ensuing months.