Guyana Electricity Workers On Strike

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, December 19, 2016 (CMC) – Workers with the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) began strike action, today, in support of their demands for higher wages.

The workers, represented by the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), are seeking an eight percent wage increase, while the company is offering a two percent wage hike.

NAACIE President, Kenneth Joseph, told the Guyana-based online publication, Demerara Waves Online News, that the union did not call the strike.

“Whenever the workers feel to stop the strike, it is their decision. It is not a strike that the union called, it was the workers who took the matter in their own hands,” he said, adding that the union was willing to negotiate even lower than the eight percent.

“We are willing to negotiate even that.”

The lowest paid worker earns a gross salary of GUY$60,000 (One Guyana dollar =US$0.004 cents).

The strike action comes as consumers experience several blackouts during the Christmas Season.