Bauxite Union highlights concerns with newly appointed Labour Minister Dr. Gopaul.

The Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union has highlighted several matters of importance to the newly appointed Minister of Labour, Dr. Nanda Gopaul.

In a press statement, the union listed grievances it has with three bargaining units including the Bauxite company of Guyana Inc (BCGI), Oldendorff Carriers Incorporated and the state-owned Linden Electricity Company.

The Bauxite and General Workers Union is requesting that urgent attention be paid to issues they deem as important to the advancement of the bauxite industry. Outstanding grievances with the three companies include refusal to form a company union, which is in violation of section 23(1) of the recognition act.

Industrial accidents that resulted in deaths and injuries of workers, wages and working conditions negotiation and refusal to establish arbitration procedure consistent with the labour law is among the lot.

The union says it has taken note government’s statement that it is prepared to address issues pertaining to workers in a very constructive manner. This it says has encouraged the union to resubmit its concerns with confidence of having them resolved consistent with established industrial principles.

It has also expressed confidence in Minister Gopaul whose trade union experience and struggles it believes will guide him to sound decision making. The union says it looks forward to a new beginning in setting an industrial climate consistent with international conventions and constitutional guarantees.