| – unions call for ‘interest-bearing account’ to address payment challengesProfessor Jacob OpadeyiThe University of Guyana is seemingly on the verge of collapse, a state of affairs evident by the fact that the entity continues to pile-up debt each month payable to the Guyana Revenue Authority, Credit Unions, National Insurance Scheme and to medical and pension schemes. At the moment, part-time staffers continue to suffer inordinately as many have not received payments, notwithstanding their submission of claim forms since earlier this year. Moreover, the workers’ unions intend to take legal and industrial action if a clear plan with timeframes to fulfill all obligations to workers is not outlined.This development was amplified yesterday, even as Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Jacob Opadeyi,Adidas Superstar Shoes On Sale, during a meeting,Cheap Nike Air Max 2018, updated senior university staffers and their unions about the institution’s outstanding liabilities and debt.Yesterday’s forum was held following a public request by the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) and the University of Guyana Workers’ Union (UGWU) at a meeting on Friday last.According to reports,Nike Tns Cheap Online, the meeting was conducted in a “frank and cordial manner” and saw the two bodies acknowledging the difficult circumstances under which the new VC is operating.But although both unions and staffers have promised to lend their support to the VC in an environment of mutual respect, yesterday they again requested an update on the financial situation at the University and sought the assurance that “from henceforth,Adidas Superstar Shoes For Women, gross salaries would be paid in a timely manner.”This request saw the VC indicating that while net salaries would be paid on time this month he could not give assurances that gross salaries would be paid and that salary payments would be made in a timely way beyond. He pledged, however, to continue to make representation to the Ministers of Education and Finance in this regard.“Clearly this is an untenable situation facing UG staffers,” the unions have stated. Moreover, they are proposing that the monies approved by Parliament required to pay wages, salaries and contractual financial benefits to staff be deposited in a lump sum on an annual basis,Nike Men Air Max 97 For Sale, in an interest-bearing account, to be controlled by the University’s administration.”Such a practice, the unions have noted, is employed in other regional and international universities and would ensure timely payments to staff and eliminate time wastage by senior UG officers who go on monthly pilgrimages to both the Education and Finance Ministries.The unions also underscored the need for the VC to seek buy-in for his agenda, including the possible implementation of some recommendations contained in the Trevor Hamilton and Associates Report.The unions have also requested that the VC solicit support, particularly from the Academic Board and the Committee of Deans, and have also requested that he meet with all faculty and staff on a quarterly or half-yearly basis. This, according to the union, would honour the undertaking by the UG Administration in February 2012 to meet the Unions on a monthly basis.A call has also been made to reconvene the UG Negotiating Team to recommence negotiations on salaries and benefits with the Unions.Concern has also been expressed that the life of the Council came to an end on June 30 and according to the Unions, the Minister of Education to date has not yet appointed another Council. As such,Nike Air Max 2018, the Unions note that “this ad hoc, unplanned approach to the University’s governance by the Honorable Minister has had a negative impact on the functioning of the University.”For instance, it was observed that the UG Negotiating Team cannot be convened without at least two Council members, so recommencement of salary negotiations is dependent upon the appointment of a new Council or the extension of the life of the current Council.Additionally, an Appointment Committee meeting scheduled for this week had to be cancelled, as it needs Council members to be quorate. This means that new appointments and renewals and extensions of contracts are still to be completed.In the meantime the Unions remain concerned over the fact that the new academic year is scheduled to commence in just over a month but there still is need to repeat an appeal for the Education Minister to appoint persons to the Council. According to the Unions, the Council requires people who are competent and possess the necessary skill-sets to transform Guyana’s sole national University into an outstanding, creditable tertiary institution. |
