Dear Editor
IT IS most disgusting to be following the present highlighted GPSU-Yarde’s tenure and contest for the Union’s upcoming elections.
Mr. Mortimer Livan, 1st Vice President, who headed that Press Conference, indicating he and the Executive body fully support Yarde’s contesting for the upcoming election and if re-elected they support him fully. They are all stifling their consciences and trying to safeguard their ‘gifted hand-outs.’
It totally sickens my stomach and is a vexation to the spirit of that Press Conference Mr. Livan saying [“…the reason why Yarde has gained the full support of the council, is because most of the members have found him to be efficient. He said that he has been to conciliations and negotiations with Yarde, and the manner in which Yarde deals with such matters, he doubts whether there is anyone who could be as efficient as the president. Livan said that the council had been with the GPSU president on many occasions, and have seen what he can get done,” Stabroek News, Thursday 23, 2017, pg22]. How can a (good) leader serve for 30 years with an Executive body, advancing in age (mind you, according to Yarde’s amendment of the Union’s rules there is no age limit of serving as President) but considering ever so often Yarde having to fly overseas for his own medical and personal reasons, some right thinking person would believe that such a good leader as Yarde really is, according to his 1st Vice President and his Executive body, he should have been grooming one or two to follow his steps to be somewhat efficient like him. But at the Press Conference it seemed to me that all of them are under Yarde’s hypnotic induction-whatever method he uses. Come on readers how silly it sounds from that Press Conference that there is not even one from the Executive Council to contest Yarde.
Let them have an audit, and please Mr. Auditor, please don’t send your young staff for Yarde to continue finding fault with them after realising they are asking too many questions in unravelling all the misdemeanours and then having to report them for some concocted reason. Check for all dues, their Social Bar that Yarde holds as his own, and unearth all those ‘good persons’ not employed there but are around the Union that are being paid (receiving) lump sums of money called salary for works only they and Yarde can explain, while some of his employees receive ‘small change. Let us see how well the Executive cronies will continue their full support. All those many vouchers in some staff and his very same good Executives names against their knowledge and some just do not mind because of being inheritors of freebies or their basket of goods.
There is loads of knowledge with staff there: one such incident I can never forget is the disposal of some documents; when being disposed some people noticed their names on vouchers for lump sum payments that they knew nothing of. Further, try to ask the staff there or ask his dear Mr. Livan why as soon as monthly dues are in it cannot settle in the bank for some time before it is being taken for some uprising expense from the boss or ask why staff have to wait solely on lump sum dues to be paid their salary because there is no money in the bank.

A brief on the staff turnover ratio shows there is a lot left to wonder. Through a five year period I dare you readers’ to find out the amount of people that have worked and left the Union-their experiences too, mostly because of the unfair treatment meted out by Yarde, himself. Why him and no one else you may wonder? Well it is because he sits there: Office, home or overseas and makes every iota decision. It is beyond unfair and inhuman some treatment some staff endured and still endures working under this so-called human rights activist called Patrick Yarde.
Can you imagine that some staff working there takes home salary fortnightly? Beyond gross; while some Executive members, friends, family members and himself cart off the big sums-eat large, drink lavish and travel widely. I dare you to enquire and investigate. Further enquiry should go after all the money the previous government would have given to the Union for its renovation works; investment in their Public Servants, etc. Also to imagine, yearning to retire to enjoy your remaining sanity but are threatened with losing any benefit given to you for your lengthy years of service.
Readers go further into imagination working at a Union, being unfairly treated and having to represent people with matters of the same nature as yours and your colleagues and resolving same with the relevant authorities. It definitely plays with your mind because there is no one you can turn to but through the door-resign. You would think resigning solves all at once; no! If you notify them in advance of leaving there is always some issue with your salary. They would have you running back and forth after leaving.
No doubt that Yarde has contributed well to the Union but a fresh, committed mind is needed now. It is time Public Servants go out and vote, vote like a boss and vote change. Yarde is indeed there too long and has surely out lived his merit representing the rights of Public Servants.
Regards,
Name Provided