GuySuCo should stop high-handed approach to workers
Dear Editor,The GAWU was disappointed to see the comments of GuySuCo’s Corporate Communications Manager Ms Audreyanna Thomas — relative to a picketing exercise by workers and pensioners of Uitvlugt Estate on June 27, 2018 — in sections of the media on June 28, 2018.Ms Thomas is reported to have indicated that GuySuCo is of the opinion that “…GAWU is using the situation to encourage workers to protest”. It seems to us that the GuySuCo spokeswoman is living in a disjointed reality, and we cannot help but wonder whether she rationally considered her statement.Doesn’t she find it strange that workers would stand in the pouring rain in order to let their strong views be aired? The fact that workers are willing to protest in spite of the adverse weather conditions should send a clear and unambiguous message to the Corporation.The news article goes on to say that Ms Thomas said our Union should encourage workers to get bank accounts. Apart from the Corporation never formally engaging us on its new policy, the statement serves, dismayingly, to demonstrate once more the company’s clearly inconsiderate view of its employees’ realities and plight.Rather than adopt a contemporary approach of discussion and dialogue, the Corporation, like it has done in recent times, is literally commanding the workers to go in the direction it seeks.We urge the GuySuCo, as we have done before, to listen sincerely to the workers’ concerns. We genuinely believe that such an engagement would be useful. Experience has taught us that the bull-in-a-china-shop approach does not breed success.We also once more urge the GuySuCo to accede to the workers’ justifiable requests, rather than continue to take a high-handed approach to the issue, as this can only worsen the bad situation that workers face today.Yours faithfully,Seepaul NarineGeneralSecretary, GAWU
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) said it has completed a meeting with stakeholders in addressing the hike in the price of mineral water on the Liberian market.The Director of Public Affairs, Mitchell Jones, issued the release yesterday in Monrovia.The meeting included the Liberia Water Producers Association, Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MDFP).The meeting also resolved, among other things, the price of sachet, which remains at the wholesale price of L$75.According to him, the MOCI, CBL, and LRA will address the foreign exchange challenges to assist both the manufacturing companies and the water producers.“The Liberia Water Producers will work with the Inter-Ministerial Committee to identify and register all water producing companies, and ensure compliance with applicable standards for the production and sale of packaged water products,” he said.He said all entities found violating the above resolutions will be subject to applicable penalties, including but not limited to fines, confiscation and or closure of business. It can be recalled that during the festive season, the price a sack of sachet mineral water shot up from 55 or 60 LRD to 100 LRD; while a single sachet, which usually sold for 5 LRD, also moved to ten Liberian dollars or two for 15 Liberian dollars.Some retailers attributed the increment to the shortage of fuel on the Market, while others blamed Mineral Water Companies for arbitrarily increasing the price of water.The hike in the price of locally produced mineral water caused serious hardship for the already poverty-stricken population.Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
the Director-General of NASSCROP Dewitt Vonballmos A two-day interactive forum organized by authorities of the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP) for employees of the private and public sectors opens today, March 21 at a resort in Monrovia, the entity press release has said.Day one of the event will be dedicated to educating the public sector employers and employees, while the next day will focus on the private sector.According to the release, today’s forum will educate employers and employees in the private and public sectors on the new NASSCORP Act.It can be recalled that on December 27, 2016, the Legislature passed an Act repealing Decree No. 14 of the People’s Redemption Council (PRC) of the Armed Forces of Liberia and creating a new Chapter 89 of the Executive Law establishing the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation of the Republic of Liberia. The Act was approved by then President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on February, 2017 and printed into handbill.The Act, the release said, increased the contribution rates and broadened the coverage of NASSCORP to include the President and Cabinet, the Legislature, the Judiciary and members of the para-military forces to include officers of the Liberian National Police and the Liberia Immigration Service, etc.Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
The issue of contracted employees has been a sore one for successive Governments. When in Opposition, the now coalition Government had been heavily critical of the presence of these classes of workers, and had promised to cut out the practice of having contracted employees.Following requests from the Parliamentary Opposition in the National Assembly, Government provide details about contracted employees. The documents submitted to the National Assembly, and seen by Guyana Times, shows that the practice of keeping contract workers is in force, with this classification of workers costing the state hefty sums for their services.Within the Ministry of the Presidency itself, contracted cleaners account for a net salary of over $206,000 per month; inclusive of gratuity and vacation allowance. A typist clerk is paid over $170,000 per month, inclusive of these benefits as well, while a contracted driver makes a total of $219,000.In the case of administrative assistants, their net salary range is $492,000; while an administrative officer makes $551,000 and the administrative manager makes almost $1.5 million, inclusive of gratuity and vacation allowance.The two highest paid contracted staff within the Ministry are Senior Executive Director of the Public Service College, Retired Colonel Lawrence Paul ($1.9 million); and Director of Training, Calvin Benn ($1.8 million), the documents submitted highlighted.Contract workersLast year, chartered accounting firm Ram and McRae pointed out that too much strain was being placed on the public coffers with the employment of contracted workers. It made the significant finding following the delivery of this year’s National Budget.The firm had noted the Ministry of the Presidency’s increase in contract employees from 298 in 2015 to 505 in 2016, as well as an increase in the cost of wages and salaries for contract employees from $142 million to $798 million.In the case of the Office of the Prime Minister, it had noted that the cost of wages and salaries for contracted employees rose from $21 million to $82 million.It also addressed the Public Infrastructure Ministry, which saw an increase from $9 million to $51 million in a particular programme, and from $182 million to $533 million under its Public Works Programme.
160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set! But these closed campuses were built with public money to serve public-school students – whether they are part of the LAUSD proper, or one of its associated charters. It’s time to reopen as many of these closed schools as the charters need. IT’S a simple problem with what seems like a simple solution: The LAUSD has five shuttered campuses in the San Fernando Valley that it doesn’t need any more because of declining enrollment. Valley charter schools are in desperate need of campus space to house their growing enrollments. So it would seem like a compromise would be in everyone’s best interest. But when it comes to LAUSD politics, nothing is that simple. Los Angeles Unified School District officials are making the charter schools go round and round in this struggle, rather than honestly working to provide them classroom space – which state law requires. The district hates the charter-school movement because it serves as an indictment of its failed education policies. 
AD Quality Auto 360p 720p 1080p Top articles1/5READ MORECasino Insider: Here’s a look at San Manuel’s new high limit rooms, Asian restaurant160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set! POMONA – California Highway Patrol motor Officer David Romero waved his arm, braced himself and gripped his motorcycle’s handlebars seconds before being hit and killed by a speeding car in Industry, court witnesses said Wednesday. The 47-year-old officer, who worked at the CHP’s Santa Fe Springs office, was thrown several feet into the air. His helmet flew off his head, witnesses testified at a preliminary hearing for the driver charged in Romero’s death. Rudy Saldana Lopez, 26, of Whittier is charged with the murder of a peace officer, vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence of alcohol and methamphetamines. Sgt. Sandra Nava, a detective with Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s homicide bureau, testified that she interviewed a witness at a red light next to Romero when the 21-year veteran was struck at about 10 a.m. Sept. 23 at Turnbull Canyon Road and Valley Boulevard. “She stated that she pulled up to the red light next to him. She was looking at his boots and the wire cord in his helmet to his radio,” Nava testified. “As she was looking at him, his behavior completely changed and he became alarmed. She said he raised his hand in the air real quick and put it back down and grabbed his handlebars as if to brace himself.” The witness said she heard and saw a speeding blue Monte Carlo behind her. The car struck Romero’s motorcycle, sending both vehicles into the intersection where they were hit by a Toyota Corolla. Romero landed on a sidewalk across the street. Romero’s brain stem and aorta artery were severed – both fatal injuries, testified Dr. Juan Carrillo, deputy medical examiner for Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office. Saul Ramirez was driving near the intersection at the time. He testified that he rushed over to Romero, called police and attempted to check Romero’s pulse. He said he watched him take his last breath. Ramirez said that he talked to Lopez after the collision. “He was on the phone talking to a person from his job, saying he was going to be late,” Ramirez said. Romero was the second CHP officer from the Santa Fe Springs office killed in the line of duty. In April 2004, Officer Thomas Steiner, 35, was gunned down outside of Pomona Superior Court by a 16-year-old boy who is now serving a life sentence. At the time of the crash, Lopez was on probation for a Sept. 7, 2003, drunken driving conviction. Lopez’s attorney, Todd Melnik, said his client denies all the charges. sandy.mazza@sgvn.com (562) 698-0955, Ext. 3026
Division 4 league.Letterkenny Gaels winning streak comes to an end.Letterkenny Gaels 3.07 Naomh Padraig Muff 2.11 On a sunny evening at Páirc na nGael Naomh Padraig Uisce Chaoin recorded their first league win of the season when they defeated table toppers Letterkenny Gaels. A late Aidan Lynch goal secured a 1pt win for the Inishowen men and with the Championship only two weeks away they will be a threat to any team on this performance.Muff opened brightly with points from Damian Diver and Midfielder Colm McColgan. They were then rocked with two quick fire goals from Conor McBrearty on the 4th and 6th minutes. Diver and Eunan Keaveney steadied matters for Muff before Ciaran Lynch and McBrearty pointed for for the Letterkenny men. Diver responded with a free for the visitors before McBrearty found the net for the third time. Half time score:Letterkenny Gaels 3-02Muff 0-05Muff made their intentions clear early in the second half as they hit three unanswered points courtesy of Diver (2) and midfielder McColgan. Sean McDonagh replied for the home team and Muff responded again with Diver and the very impressive Colm McColgan. Mc Donagh responded again for Gaels before the powerful Aidan Lynch found the net to level matters with 15 minutes left on the clock. McBrearty eased matters for Gaels before Muff’s Lynch squared matters once more. Gaels then dug deep with sub Liam Doherty winning a free which McDonagh converted. Ciaran Cannon put Gaels two up with time running out. However Lynch had the last say when he found the net deep in injury time leaving no time for the home team to respond.Letterkenny Gaels: S Graham, S Crossan, C Browne, K Kilkenny, O McElhinney, D Hunter, Aaron Stewart, B O Brien), C Cannon(0.1), C O Breslin, C Lynch(0.1, J McGlynn, N McManus, C McBrearty(3.2), S McDonagh(0.3). Subs. N McGarrigle for N McManus L Doherty for Colm O BreslinNaomh Padraig:: G Harkin, G McKinney, C McColgan, B McColgan, P Duffy, R McLaughlin, D Laird, G McColgan(0.1),C McColgan(0.02)J Craig,E Keaveney(0.01)D Diver(0.06),O McColgan,A Lynch(2.1), E McColgan. Subs::J McColgan, G Lynch, B McKinney. GAA NEWS: NAOMH PADRAIG MUFF STUN LK GAELS IN DIVISION 4 was last modified: June 22nd, 2014 by John2Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Tags:Division 4Letterkenny GaelsNaomh Padraig Muff
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Drake University rowing team closed its spring break training trip in Tuscaloosa, Ala., with a series of races against Alabama on Saturday on the Black Warrior River. The Bulldogs and the Crimson Tide competed head-to-head in four races on Saturday with 2nd varsity 4, varsity 8, second varsity 8 and varsity 4 races on the 2,000-meter course. Drake wasn’t able to defeat Alabama in any of the four races but hung tough with the deep SEC team. “We knew Alabama was a deep team even with their top-20 out in California, but we knew even with their next level we would have our hands full,” said Drake head coach Charlie DiSilvestro. “We were happy with how we performed and really happy with the week of spring break training. Our boats got better and we are a becoming a deep team. However, we need to get some more speed in our top boat. Overall for the first race they feel they rowed to their potential.” Drake travels to Kansas next Saturday for another head-to-head race. “Next week we will have a controlled scrimmage with Kansas,” DiSilvestro said. “It will be a shorter distance course. It gives us a chance to lineup with another good team and still try some different things with our own squad.” Drake Lineups/ResultsVarsity 8+ (7:37.7, 2nd)Bri Varela (cox), Gabby Brodek, Sarah Larson, Sarah Frantik, Alex Lueck, Kerstin Donat, Kelsey Leahy, Emily Householter, Haley Abrams 2nd Varsity 8+ (7:42.0, 2nd)Sadie Robb (cox), Jess Rebischke, Tristina Meister, Madison Peterson, Elainie Fickau, Kayla Caldwell, Liz Long, Erica Thacker, Taylor Schaben Varsity 4+ B (9:11.3, 2nd)Paige Prien (cox), Madeline Killian, Elise Nikolic, Mikaela Janes, Leah Wilmot Varsity 4+ A (8:51.2, 3rd)Miranda Peterson (cox), Shelley Hunter, Madeline Killian, Lauren Bascio, Elise NikolicPrint Friendly Version
DONEGAL Rose Catherine McCarron wooed Daithi O Se and the crowds in Tralee on Monday night on the first selection night for the contest.The 26-year-old from Raphoe looked stunning in a flowing ivory dress, adorned with Maureen O’Hara silver jewellery.And she brought the house down when she sang ‘Destination Donegal’ for the audience. Dubai Rose Caroline Callaghan – from Fanad – takes to the stage on Tuesday night as the county has double hopes this year.Catherine, a former Deele College pupil, told host Daithi about her love of travel and her work for charity.Proud family members watched on as the interview took place.Said Catherine: “It’s been phenomenal; and the support in Donegal has been incredible.” DONEGAL ROSE CATHERINE WOOS CROWDS IN TRALEE was last modified: August 20th, 2013 by John2Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window) Tags:Catherine McCarronDonegal RoseRose of Tralee
After spending countless hours pouring over books, early morning classes, and maybe the odd energy drink, LYIT students have now punctuated their studies with a beautiful graduation ceremony which was held at An Dánlann in LYIT’s Letterkenny campus yesterday. Students from the departments of Law & Humanities, Computing, Life Long Learning, Civil Engineering & Construction, Electronic & Mechanical Engineering, Design & Creative Media, Business Studies, Nursing & Health Studies, Science, graduated yesterday. The Killybegs campus will be having their ceremony next Friday at the Blue Haven, Largymore, Kilcar.Well done to all graduands!Picture Special: LYIT students attend graduation ceremony! was last modified: October 29th, 2016 by Elaine McCalligShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)