Sugar workers picket for removal of management team

GAWU, in a release, said the picketing exercise was staged by shop stewards who are calling for improvement in the management of the sugar company. According to the Union, the workers highlighted the decline in the performance of the Estate which they attributed to the current management team who they feel cannot grapple with the challenges.

GuySuCo, in a statement in July, whilst announcing the second crop at the Blairmont Estate, made an appeal to all employees to turn out in their numbers so that a regular supply of canes is available for continuous grinding in the factory. According to the corporation, attendance “will allow for the achievement of Blairmont’s weekly target of 925 tonnes of sugar, and the employees benefiting from extra earnings.”

GuySuCo continues to be plagued with poor performance and for several reasons. The corporation continues to lower its production targets and are even failing to achieve the lower targets as the Government pumps more money into it. GY$3.4 billion was recently allocated in a Supplementary Bill that was passed in the National Assembly two Mondays ago.

GAWU in its statement said workers want “changes from the management to begin from the top of the Corporation.” This means the CEO is included in those the workers want axed, and which according to the statement “the current direction of the corporation is heavily influenced from that level.” The Union said the workers are hoping that better sense can prevail, and that the corporation treats them with respect rather than seeking to alienate them.  The Union did not state how that alienation is occuring.