NAACIE sugar workers strike

GuySuCo workers represented by the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) have downed tools across the corporation in protest at a pay offer they deem too low.

NAACIE General Secretary Kenneth Joseph told Demerara Waves Online News on Monday that they had been in talks with management on amendments to the job evaluation agreements when the GuySuCo representatives changed their minds.

“The corporation decided that they were no longer going to talk and made a one percent across the board off and the people felt more aggrieved,” he relayed.

According to Joseph, the corporation had struck a deal with the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union which saw those workers getting a better deal and that was one of the issues they were discussing to ensure parity.

“They agree that anomalies exist but say they can’t offer more.” With Monday being the first day of the industrial action joseph said there was about 50 to 65 percent participation and he expected that number to grow.

He noted that the union had written the corporation informing the management that it was in full support of the workers’ action.

NAACIE’s membership at GuySuCo numbers around 800 and includes field supervisors; nurses; clerical staff; lab technicians; sugar boilers; and workshop foremen.