GUINEAN FUEL WORKERS WIN SOME CONCESSIONS

UNCLAS CONAKRY 001248 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ELAB PGOV KDEM GV SUBJECT: GUINEAN FUEL WORKERS WIN SOME CONCESSIONS REF: CONAKRY 1234 ¶1. (SBU) Following a November 11 nation-wide labor strike by gas station workers (reftel),leaders of the Independent Union of Guinean Labor Forces (SIFOG) report that they have successfully negotiated an initial, signed protocol with the industry,s employers. According to the agreement, which was signed November 15, employers will offer labor contracts to all employees. In addition, employers will retroactively register all employees for social security beginning January 1, 2005. Both the contracts and registration processes must be completed no later than December 15, 2007. ¶2. (SBU) While union leaders have been able to attain at least two of their goals, they remain dissatisfied with current salaries, which average about $49 a month. According to the negotiated Protocol, gas station owners will make every effort possible to improve salaries. Union leaders told poloff that the strike has not ended, but has only been suspended in exchange for the concessions listed in the Protocol. They emphasized that if further progress is not made to resolve the salary problem, they will not hesitate to resume the strike. CARTER