GPSU – Message on the Occasion of GPSU’s 101 Anniversary from the President/CEO, Mr. Patrick Yarde

As the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) celebrates 101 years of existence, it is important to remember its stellar achievements, while memorializing the challenges faced in realizing the noble goal of justice for the Public Employee.

Today, our Union is steadfastly seeking justice for employees in systems that is increasingly being weaponized and empowered to erase the rights won by the previous generations of workers. Many of our predecessors risked the safety and comfort of their families and even paid the ultimate price so that we, their children, can enjoy a more dignified existence. The onus is now on this generation to uphold the principles of justice now enshrined in the Constitution, Laws, as well as Regulations and Binding Agreements. This cadre of Unionist must deal frontally with those who chose the path of oppression and in so doing complete the revolution started all those decades ago through tangibly enjoying those rights ascribed on paper, among others are:

ü  Check off Agreements for Union Dues and Agency Fees

ü  Secondment Agreement of Public Servants to Recognised Trade Unions/Staff Associations on a full time  basis, without loss of service and promotion; and

ü  The Agreement for the Avoidance and Settlement of Disputes, including Wages, Salaries and allowances

Given the nature of our struggles, our members must expect challenges. We are now doing battle in an environment where fear is the principal tool used to subdue the minds of workers. The pursuit of our collective goals is jeopardized when there is fear of losing one’s job for seeking justice. The fear of having the equilibrium of one’s family disrupted by acts of punitive transfers, as well as, the fear of one’s career being held stagnated or brought to an untimely end brings in check the appropriateness of action. Yet, the paralysis of fear allows the oppressors to continue to employ their usual methods of political victimization, discrimination, manipulation of democratic checks and balances within the systems of governance and the balance of power, as well as, the use of the age-old “divide and rule” tactics to keep the lives of public workers under political control and within the realms of poverty.

The time has come, brothers and sisters, for Public Service Workers to cast out the conjured fear and break those invisible shackles and rise in unison to demand a living wage, brokered through collective bargaining and equal pay for equal work.  The time has also come to demand the elimination of the covert political manipulation of the Public Sector through the appointment of political operatives, including political heads of departments rather than career Public Servants.

As we celebrate this 101 Anniversary, there are some practical steps we must take together. We must commit to developing the organization of the Union through the building of efficient branches oriented to pursue redress of worker’s grievances in a comprehensive manner. It is also important we dedicate ourselves to continuous training and education about the Laws  and Procedures which govern Industrial  Relations. Additionally, solidarity can only be built if we are well informed on the current information through efficient communication network systems.

Long live the Guyana Public Service Union.