Latest update April 24th, 2024 12:58 AM
Jun 09, 2019 Letters
Dear Editor,
Saturday, June 8th, 2019 was the 96th year of struggle by public service employees and members of the Guyana Public Service Union to guarantee fair treatment at their places of employment in an enhanced and worker-friendly environment- to be assured of security of tenure, among other entitlements and to be able to enjoy acceptable standards of living and progress while providing quality public service to the citizens of our nation.
As can be recognised, the journey has been long from the colonial days having to get the then governor’s permission to form the Civil Service Association as the organisation was initially named through the period of internal self-government, independence and republican status.
An analysis of the evidence available shows absolutely clear that the union made its greatest strides during the period of the People’s National Congress government led by LFS Burnham.
All Internal Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions in effect protecting trade union rights and workers’ rights were ratified.
The Guyana Constitution was amended to include the feature to make all Collective Agreements legally binding. The National Insurance Scheme was established, pensions were entrenched as a constitutional right, several Collective Labour Agreements were entered into with the employer, the Government of Guyana i.e. the Avoidance and Settlement of Disputes Agreement, the check off of union dues and Agency Fees Agreement, the Secondment to the GPSU Agreement, Trade Union Leave for attending meetings and Leave for Trade Union education etc; land for housing – Lamaha Gardens and land for the GPSU Sports Complex and there was a commitment to move forward to address other necessary social issues in the employees interest.
With the change of government in 1992, there were expectations that labour rights would be further enhanced since the People’s Progressive Party /Civic (PPP/C) boasted of having working class credentials.
This was not the case. The Trade Union Recognition Act of 1997 which we felt would have enhanced Trade Union Rights was used repeatedly abused in collusion with elements of the Trade Union Recognition and Certification Board and other Unions, namely GAWU, NAACIE and eventually GLU to undermine the GPSU.
Polls were held at the Guyana Forestry Commission and MMA/ADA for only part of the workforce to remove the GPSU as the recognised when they were the union for all the employees.
Additionally, polls were conducted twice unsuccessful at Anna Regina Town Council to remove the GPSU as the majority union.
The Trade Union Recognition and Certification Act was also amended to negatively impact on trade union rights. The process of appeals to the High Court was frustrated and the situation remained, inconclusive. Complaints to the ILO were resisted by the PPP/C regime and were also inconclusive.
Employees of the fire service and prison service were arbitrarily removed from the GPSU’s membership and the court case, which was filed has not been heard to date. Also, the professional staffers of Queen’s College, The Bishops’ High School and the multilateral schools across the country were all arbitrarily withdrawn from the membership of the GPSU.
As predicted by Prof. Harold Lutchman in the book ‘Interest Representation in the Public Service’, documenting the first 50 years of the history of the GPSU, that should the PPP/C return to government the rights and privileges that the GPSU enjoyed under the PNC government would have changed and altered significantly.
With the death of Dr. Cheddi Jagan, the existing working class sentiments of the PPP/C, if there was ever any, evaporated.
The assault on the GPSU magnified and became more ruthless. Industrial unrest prevailed, premised on their disregard for ILO conventions, breaches of collective labour agreements, abuse of workers’ rights, flouting of High Court Orders, etc.
Part of the land of the GPSU Sports Complex ground at Thomas Land was seized, to lease to a friend of Bharrat Jagdeo. He was eventually jailed in the USA for criminal activities. Many members were harassed and shot by police as they exercised their right to protest peacefully and some were put before the courts for no justifiable reason.
National and General Elections in 2015 resulted in a change of government. The APNU/AFC Coalition was elected. For most, it was like a breath of fresh air after a very long period of depression, suppression and executive lawlessness. There were expectations that we would be able to reclaim the Sports Complex land and an agreement has been entered into to restore the facilities to its former glory for members to use.
The union has received funding to participate in activities that are of value to members for their awareness, enlightenment and to keep them up to date and in contact with their brothers and sisters nationally, regionally and internationally. This assistance has been appreciated.
However, major concerns remain in abeyance and/or inadequately addressed:
-The inadequacy of remuneration to public sector workers
-The ridiculous allowance being paid to officers has not been reviewed in excess of 20 years
-The outstanding de-bunching exercise and the re-introduction of the payment of in-scale increments.
-The alleviation of contract employment in established public service positions
-Health insurance for public service workers
-Increase in the age of retirement
-Sweepers/Cleaners being classified as permanent, full time employees
-Payment of full gratuity for employees on maternity leave
-Restoring the Fire Service and Prison Service under the Public Service Commission.
-Tabling of Agency Shop Legislation
-Fully restoring GPSU nominees on public sector Boards of Directors
-Child/day care centres for Public Sector Workers children and several other matters.
There is a tendency to impose rather than negotiate conditions of service, the continued practice of denying workers merited benefits, obstruction to workers trade union right and due process.
For us it is most disturbing that after all the sacrifices, effort and suffering we have endured in the interest of good governance and for our members to be entitled to fair treatment, this has not materialized. It is also appalling that promises that were repeated to us are not being fulfilled. We have been very patient and restrained but it is now obvious to us what we are up against.
Looking ahead, we must move on with confidence and peace, faith in our abilities to demand fair treatment, respect and value for our contributions.
Invaluable resources of our country have been uncovered and the benefits are very near materialising. There have been lots of speculations as to how these influx of wealth would be utilized. From our experience we should take nothing for granted, however, at the same time, we must be open minded and objective and act in the interest of all law-abiding citizens and the future generations.
With respect to our union, we must strive for unity in our work places and communities.
We must place emphasis on being self-reliant and self-sufficient. We must entrench and enhance the independence of our organization the GPSU.
Be involved and keep relevant and responsive; we must have faith.
We must be fully prepared to take whatever action is necessary in our interest. We have had to do so before – we are capable of doing so again, regardless.
With these thoughts, I extend sincere congratulations to you, our members on this anniversary. You have fought the good fight. You have selflessly protected and defended your Union. Your actions have resulted, repeatedly, in benefits for workers throughout Guyana, and for this you must feel proud. You are the premier workforce. I urge you to continue to maintain this culture in the interest of Guyana and as an exceptionally good example for workers worldwide.
Patrick Yarde
President of GPSU
LISTEN HOW JAGDEO WILL MAKE ALL GUYANESE RICH!!!
Apr 24, 2024
Round 2 GFF Women’s League Division One Kaieteur Sports – The Guyana Police Force FC on Saturday last demolished Pakuri Jaguars FC with a 17 – 0 goal blitz at the Guyana Football...Kaieteur News – Just recently, the PPC determined that it does not have the authority to vitiate a contract which was... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – On April 10, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]