UG VICE CHANCELLOR CALLS OUT UNIONS

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana says staff is offered what the University can afford at present. Handell Duncan has our report.

University of Guyana Workers’ Union andthe University of Guyana Senior Staff Association announced that they were against a 3 and 4 percent salary imposition on Academic and Non-Academic staff respectively by the administration of the University.

In an invited comment on Friday, Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Ivelaw Griffith explained the steps taken to arrive at the increase.

The Vice Chancellor is adamant that there was no imposition of the increase.

The Vice Chancellor says the University would love to give more than 3 and 4 percent but it is in the context of what the University can afford. He has no intensions of making a promise for something that can’t be afforded. The two union bodies had stated that they want financial information on the University to be guided in their salary negotiations which is not forthcoming, however, what they know is that the increase is unacceptable. But, even though the University will go ahead and offer the increases in the interim, whether the Unions like it or not, there are conditions.