UG unions reject “insulting” increases by UG administration.

"It is completely contrary to the principles of labour relations to impose an increase where trade unions exist and negotiations are possible. The percentages named are also insulting to staff. Moreover, the University's unions have been trying to negotiate wages and salaries with the University's administration since January of this year", she said. 

UG unions reject “insulting” increases by UG administration.

The University of Guyana Senior Staff Association and the University of Guyana Workers Union have both rejected the salary increases being put forward by the University’s administration.

At a press conference this morning, President of the UGSSA, Jewel Thomas, said there should be no imposition of increases where unions exist and where negotiations could take place. She said the 3% and 4% increases being pushed by the UG administration is insulting.

“It is completely contrary to the principles of labour relations to impose an increase where trade unions exist and negotiations are possible. The percentages named are also insulting to staff. Moreover, the University’s unions have been trying to negotiate wages and salaries with the University’s administration since January of this year”, she said.

The union president added that the last meeting was held in February and there has been a failure to agree on an agenda since then.  The unions want to negotiate salaries for 2018 along with travel allowances, book allowances, medical scheme, gratuity for persons not on the pension scheme and pension for staff.

“These are priorities are for staff and we believe that there are very straight forward to discuss”.

She said the UG administration was more inclined to discuss other issues. Ms. Thomas said the unions made it clear that they were not prepared to negotiate the items that the administration was pushing forward.

The Union officials complained that the University is also still without a Human Resources Director. The two unions have since written to the Pro Chancellor of the University, retired Major General Joe Singh, expressing their views of the university’s position and offer.

The matter is now likely to go to the University of Guyana full Council. The University Unions are now prepared to put forward their own request and proposal to the full council, so that the matter could be addressed at the earliest possible time.

 

 

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