GPL, NAACIE to meet tomorrow on salary increases for workers

Following a protest by Transmission and Distribution employees of the Guyana Power and Light Company Incorporated (GPL Inc.), Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Renford Homer said a meeting will be hosted with the Union on Tuesday (December 20, 2016).

He made this assurance during a press conference on Monday afternoon.

The workers of GPL on Monday morning protested a 2% increase of salaries proposed by the company.

Homer told media operatives that GPL Inc. and the workers’ representative, National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) are currently in negotiations in relation to wages and salaries for 2016.

The acting CEO explained that NAACIE has expectations for its members and rightfully so, and GPL Inc. has a position which is being just and fair.

“GPL went in with their position which the union has some difficulty accepting, as unions do, with all respect to the unions, (then) GPL further improved its offer and  the union still did not accept, which led to a stronger standing position by the union and one to an extent by GPL,” Homer said.

He noted that the workers want to see something tangible coming to them by way of wages and failure to see such, they became agitated.

The acting CEO said GPL is going back to the union with an improved position.

“We have had (a) dialogue with the General Secretary of NAACIE and we are meant to meet tomorrow to have these further discussions. We are hopeful that we can bring this to a conclusion,” Homer said.

The Acting CEO was asked, what are his expectations for the meeting tomorrow to which he responded, “Once we have this engagement tomorrow with the union, our expectation is to see an amicable conclusion in salary and wages’ negotiations between GPL and NAACIE. We can do it before the end of the year; we can close off  2016 to those members paying them whatever the approved rates are, retroactive to January next year.”