EBS collective labour agreement negotiations continue; Hellings still barred from premises

The EBS collective labour agreement remains on the negotiating table, according to general director Leo Brunswijk, despite tensions between the company management and the Ogem Werknemers Organisatie Suriname, OWOS (trade union). According to him, the recent board elections within the union do not change anything about the process. Hellings was re-elected as chairman and his Team Renewable received 586 votes, compared with 325 votes for Team Bondru.

Brunswijk said in an interview with LIM FM that the election result is no reason to suspend the negotiations. According to him, the same group has again received the confidence of a majority of voting members, meaning management and the union can continue with the talks already under way.

According to Brunswijk, the collective labour agreement negotiations are now mainly focused on primary employment conditions. Agreement has reportedly already been reached on secondary conditions. In discussing wages and other financial arrangements, official inflation is used as an important starting point, he said.

EBS collective labour agreement for 2026 remains on the table

With the continuation of the EBS collective labour agreement consultations, an important dossier is once again taking centre stage. Following his election victory, Hellings also made it clear that finalising the collective labour agreement for 2026 is among the priorities of his board. In addition, he wants to work towards restoring unity within OWOS after an election battle in which internal relations came under considerable pressure.

Key News previously reported that Team Renewable won the elections and that Team Bondru has accepted the result. The elections were preceded by a period of legal proceedings and allegations of possible interference in the electoral process. During the campaign, Hellings claimed that EBS management would disadvantage his board.

The collective labour agreement will proceed, but the ban on Hellings entering the premises remains in force, according to Brunswijk.

Brunswijk wants a clear division of roles

According to Brunswijk, calm can only return sustainably within the state-owned energy company when management and the union adhere to their respective responsibilities. The union must represent the interests of employees, he said, while management is responsible for the day-to-day operation and direction of the company.

Brunswijk says the tensions of the past period have partly arisen because responsibilities have become blurred, according to him. “Everyone must perform their task. You should not cross over and think that you are a director or manager,” the EBS director said.

Ban on Hellings entering premises remains despite re-election

According to Brunswijk, Hellings’ re-election does not mean that he will once again have unrestricted access to EBS premises. The existing ban on entering the premises remains in force, according to the director. He states that Hellings can also carry out his work as a union chairman through other means, including digital communication and contact with members.

At the end of August, a summary proceedings judge rejected a request by OWOS and Hellings to enforce access to EBS premises and a vehicle. Hellings subsequently announced an appeal. That procedure must be distinguished from the separate labour case concerning his employment at EBS. In that case, the subdistrict court previously rejected an EBS request to terminate the employment contract, after which the energy company lodged an appeal. Recent reporting on Brunswijk’s statements also mentions that the ban on entering the premises has been maintained.

Tensions between EBS management and union remain a point of attention

Relations between EBS management and OWOS have been tense for some time. Earlier this year, employees stopped work because, according to the union, important labour issues and collective labour agreement matters were not being adequately addressed. The conflict concerning Hellings as an EBS employee has also been ongoing through legal proceedings for some time.

At the same time, both sides are trying to continue the EBS collective labour agreement process. For employees, the key issue is what agreements will ultimately be made on wages, purchasing power and other primary employment conditions. Brunswijk indicates that inflation is being used as a reference, but did not announce a specific percentage or new wage scale in the interview.

Shooting incident remains a matter for police

Brunswijk also commented on the recent shooting incident in which an EBS employee was the victim. He says he does not want to prejudge the police investigation. According to him, EBS management immediately sent the security department to the victim and is awaiting the findings of the competent authorities.

According to Brunswijk, the company wants to look ahead after the turbulent period, and the conflict between management and the union does not have to continue having a permanent effect. The next phase of the EBS collective labour agreement negotiations will have to show whether both parties can reach agreements that are workable for employees and the company despite the existing disputes.