Eon Andrews of the Minibus Association
| Workers within the transport sector are now more aware of their basic rights as some of them were privileged to be a part of a seminar that dealt with such rights.On Wednesday last, the International Transportation Federation, in collaboration with the Amalgamated Transport and General Workers’ Union, facilitated a seminar that concluded on Friday.The seminar was held under the theme “Strengthening collective bargaining capacities,” and attracted participants from the Transport and Harbours Department and the Maritime Association.Facilitators for the seminar included Carvil Duncan of the Guyana Labour Union, Eon Andrews of the Minibus Association, and Patricia Wintz of the Guyana Public Service Union.Among the issues dealt with during the seminar were understanding industrial relations, scope and framework of collective bargaining, collective bargaining strategy and practices, preparing group for role play, and key issues affecting transport workers in a global economy.President of the Amalgamated Transport and General Workers’ Union, Clairmont Pearson, said that from all indications the seminar was well received by the participants.He added that the participants were most appreciative of the fact that most of the issues raised were dealt with effectively.“The participants expressed concerns over some basic yet fundamental issues they are faced with daily, these include not being provided with safety gear by their employees, and allowances,” Pearson explained.According to Pearson, the participants have already indicated their willingness to take part in other such events, which they deemed to be very enlightening. As such, Pearson noted, this seminar marks one of many to come.Next on the agenda for the union will be HIV/AIDS and the stigma and discrimination that are associated with the disease.“This is one area we would like to address soon, and plans are already underway for a seminar which would deal with HIV/AIDS,” Pearson pointed out. |
