WITH a 48-hour ultimatum from the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) to the Government for negotiations to begin against the ‘unilateral imposition’ of wage and salary increases, Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon has called out the Union’s President for what he calls “poor… routine… expected” behaviour.During his weekly post-Cabinet press briefing, the Cabinet Secretary, while acknowledging the Government’s responsibility by Labour Agreements to negotiate with the Union, said: “I am certain that after 13 years, we couldn’t conceivably find 13 explanations.”

It is unclear whether Dr. Luncheon’s view, in that regard, reflects that of the Government but evidently the Cabinet Secretary questions the move and logic of the Union.

Following the announcement of 5 and 8 percent increases for nearly 20,000 public servants, GPSU President, Patrick Yarde rejected the move saying, “The arbitrary imposition of five to eight per cent is an insult, and is rejected by this Union.”
While the GPSU has said that no negotiations were held for 2014 between themselves and the Public Service Ministry, Dr. Luncheon maintained “negotiations have never ended” adding that what has happened is an inability by both sides to reach an agreement.
“A successful negotiation is achieved when the outcome is embraced [and] is acceptable to both sides,” Dr. Luncheon said, adding that “the course of the negotiation in 2014 has been somewhat similar to the course in prior years where the differences [between the PSM and GPSU] are considerable.”
In an effort to explain why there continues to be such contention between the Government and the GPSU, Dr. Luncheon said: “I think where the breakdown has been occurring over the years is that the negotiations have failed to produce a response, particularly one that enjoys the support of both sides.”
The Union has appealed to President Donald Ramotar to act on his promises. This position was expressed in a detailed letter to the President dated December 1, 2014, wherein the Union has expressed “utter disbelief in the announcement.”
The 12-paragraph letter states at the 11th paragraph, “Unless you are prepared to honour your commitments and take action to reverse this travesty, you will leave us no choice but to stand in defense of our rights guaranteed under the Constitution of Guyana, as well as international treaties to which the Government of Guyana is obligated.”
In a recent news conference, GPSU’s First Vice President, Mortimer Livan had hinted that the Union would possibly take international action against the Government by seeking the intervention of the European Union in Guyana and the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

Asked whether the union would consider other avenues, Yarde responded that the issue is a local one and ought to be handled by Guyanese themselves, rather than seeking international assistance.