The 18th Biennial Delegates’ Conference of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) opened yesterday underscoring the important role that public servants play in the development of Guyana.

The three-day exercise opened at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston Georgetown, under the theme “Uniting to Overcome Social, Economic and Political Injustices Confronting the Union and its Membership”.

GPSU President Patrick Yarde addresses the opening session .

President of the GPSU, Mr. Patrick Yarde, took the opportunity to express appreciation to President Bharrat Jagdeo and his government for the contribution and support towards the conference and for the hosting of a reception for delegates last evening.

“We interpret this gesture as an acknowledgement of the invaluable contribution and support public servants give every day to the government,” he observed.

“Further, we recognise this as an illustration of how much can be achieved if the GPSU can be treated and interact with government as a social partner,” he added.

Head of the Presidential secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon, at right, and GPSU President Patrick Yarde at the opening of the Delegates’ Conference yesterday.

He said this can only be achieved when both parties trust each other and then public servants will be willing to work, galvanise and mobilise their energies, experiences and skills to promote Guyana’s development.

Yarde said, “This is how we interpret the government’s gesture and we hope that this marks the beginning of an era of genuine practical cooperation and collaboration in which no side loses sight of the need for improvement in the conditions of public servants generally, and for the sustained development of a vital economy without which our demands cannot be met.”

He noted that in the face of serious challenges, the GPSU has responded meaningfully to them over an unbroken period of 86 years.

Noting that although the nature of the challenges have changed and evolved over time, he insisted that the union has remain faithful to its fundamental principles to contribute to promoting and safeguarding the interests of its members and the public.

“This is a challenge in the face of serious difficulties in the Guyanese society which has not been met very easily. Contrary to our national motto ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny’, we remain divided and fractured along social, economic and political lines with negative consequences for our progress towards a cohesive nation,” he observed.

Yarde reiterated the union’s commitment to struggle for the social, political and economic well-being of its members and the working class.

He spoke of a number of achievements among the union’s membership over the years, including respect for its members and fellow trade unions nationally, regionally and internationally; respect, regard and recognition from the governments of Guyana for its uncompromising stand on the rights of workers; a strong infrastructural and organisational base including a multi-ethnic diverse leadership with a strong youth group being mentored for the future; appointment of union representatives on boards of government agencies; representation on the Public Service Commission; and unification of the public service.

However, Yarde stressed that in spite of these accomplishments, the union is still faced with a number of problems and challenges.

The GPSU President reminded that over the years, the union has re-emphasised the important role that public servants play in the country’s development.

“Public servants keep the wheels of government turning, they keep the country running,” he insisted, and noted that the union has conducted a study of a basket of necessity and is convinced that there is need for an urgent review if public servants are to exist above “the poverty line”.

He urged that over the course of the conference, delegates should dedicate themselves to devising strategies to address and overcome the difficulties identified and how improvements could be made.

“This requires that focus be placed on desirable changes in the Guyanese society and may require adjustment and changes in the structure and operations of our union,” he underscored.

He said of interest and concern to the union is the “serious rift which continues to exist in the local labour movement” and the “narrow political considerations which continue to influence and formulate the implementation of public policies” which do not serve the public interest.

He said during deliberations, a number of motions will be considered which cover a wide spectrum of problems and issues which have constantly been discussed.

“May the results of the deliberations of the 18th Biennial Delegates’ Conference of our union impact positively not only on the GPSU and its membership, but beyond, to impact on our country and the people of Guyana whom we must re-commit to serve,” he concluded.

Work together
Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon, declaring the conference open, taking cognizance of the series of observations and concerns of the GPSU President, noted the constructive approach suggested which accords well with the intensions of the administration.

He said, “We cannot pander to old dogmas”, but have to go the extra mile and be innovative and work together to find acceptable solutions to the emerging challenges.

“These are tough times that we are facing and it calls for stern leadership, it calls for great commitment and profound sacrifices, once we present a vision that is the basis for the support that is needed by our people,” he put forward.

Reflecting on the administration’s work over the years, he reiterated, “We all have a role to play, this role has to be played together, in concert, and the objective is national development.”

Maintaining that the administration is “rooted in the working class identity”, he stated, “The issue here is to reconcile the interest of these many players to get a win-win situation.”

Among those present were Minister of Labour Mr. Manzoor Nadir; Leader of the Opposition People’s National Congress Reform Mr. Robert Corbin, Head of the Private Sector Commission Captain Gerry Gouveia, Permanent Secretary of the Office of the President Dr. Nanda Gopaul, trade unionists, and members of the Diplomatic Corps.