Georgetown, GINA, January 29, 2004

The merger between the Guyana Television Broadcasting Company Limited -(GTV) Channel 11 and the Guyana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) was signed today at the Office of the President.
This signing was completed minutes after Union Leaders met with President Bharrat Jagdeo at the Office of the President on finalizing the MOU.
Signing on behalf of the Government was Head of the Privatisation Unit, Winston Brassington and Information Liaison to the President, Robert Persaud. Signing on behalf of the Union was Roy Hughes, President of the Clerical and Commercial Workers Union (CCWU) and Grantley Colbard, General Secretary of the CCWU.
Brassington said the MOU provides for ex-gratia payments for severed workers. Persons with less than three years service will receive ten percent of the severance pay and those with more than three years fifteen percent.
See attached:
Memorandum of Understanding

The Government of Guyana as shareholder of Guyana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) and Guyana Television and Broadcasting Inc, (Herein referred to as the GoG) and the Clerical and Commercial Workers’ Union (CCWU), hereby agree to the following:

1. Merger of GTV and GBC into a new legal entity
The Parties agree to the merger with an effective date of March 1 2004

2. Severance & Ex-gratia payment
The Parties disagree on the principle of severance at the date of the merger. Workers will receive the following:
I. Payment in accordance with the respective Collective Labour Agreements (CLA’s) plus
II. The following ex-gratia payment:
a) More than 1 year but less than 3 years-lO% of computed severance pay
b) More that 3 years service-15% of computed severance pay

3. Temporary Contracts for all former GTV and GBC employees in new Entity
As part of the process of issuing severance letters, temporary contracts shall be issued to all employees who shall indicate within two working days, their intention to remain with the new entity by signing and returning these contracts. The contracts will be temporary contracts in nature and shall be for a period up to six months, with both the Employer and Temporary Employee having the option to terminate with one month’s notice, unless the Temporary Employee is being dismissed for cause, in which case no notice is required. The Temporary Contracts shall carry the same salary as the employees currently enjoy, and in addition will carry an 8% payment in lieu of leave and other benefits.

4. Preference in Employment in the New Entity to former employees of GTV and GBC
Shortly after the merger, the positions in the new organization shall be advertised and immediate past employees of GTV and GBC can apply. Persons will be ranked based on experience, qualifications and other criteria provided to the Unions and selected based on interviews with a Panel made up of senior persons of the new organization and the Privatisation Unit.

All attempts will be made to complete the internal process within three months. If positions cannot be filled from the internal applicants, these positions will be advertised, and if outside applications fail to satisfy the requirements being sought, these positions may be filled by persons not previously hired.

5. Permanent Employment at the end of the Transition Period
At the end of the 6-month period that the temporary contracts are applicable or the Transition Period, all employees offered permanent employment, will enjoy the salary and benefits to be applied to the new organization.

6. Agreement on a new Collective Labour Agreement (CLA) with the CCWU
As part of the Vesting Order, the recognition of the CCWU shall be flowed through to the new
entity and provide that prior to the expiry of the Transition Period, the new company will negotiate and settle a new CLA that shall be applicable to the equivalent grades of persons previously represented and shall provide for the various benefits to be enjoyed by the workers.

The above is applicable to all persons currently represented in the Bargaining Units covered by the CCWU at GTV and GBC and the successor in the new entity.
The Parties hereby agree to the above warrant that each Party will take all the necessary steps to support the completion of the above actions.