MAY Day 2015 is a time for serious reflection, reassessment of the performance of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), and to ultimately chart a course forward for at least the next decade. This is necessary because the past three decades have seen serious challenges for Union membership, who, over that time period, encountered enormous challenges, which threatened the Union’s survival, constantly undermined its ability and effectiveness to provide representation to members and/or provide other quality of support through benefits that were normally or customarily enjoyed.

Added to this situation, the politicisation of the Public Service Commission, the effects of a non-functioning Public Service Appellate Tribunal and consequential fallouts, such as, unjustifiable supercessions, unjustifiable denial of promotions, unjustifiable non-payment of increments, unlawful imposition of salaries, compromising of security of tenure, erosion of formal employment and benefits, denial of natural justice and due process, unfair treatment, blatant discrimination and victimization, along with other unwarranted and vicious abuses, were unnecessary and undesirable challenges to workers. These situations ultimately proved to be distractions centered on eradicating the undesirable obstacles, instead of continued objectively applied thoughts and energies towards desired goals that would be fulfilling and beneficial to all, including cementing relationships that would guarantee togetherness in the future.

Notwithstanding the glaring and deliberate anti-working class environment, Public Servants prevailed in a matured and patriotic manner, professionally providing quality public services in the peoples’ interest and ultimately pursuing national development to the best of their ability. This included the delivery of healthcare, education, agricultural development, infrastructural development, aviation, security, revenue collection, environmental protection, beneficial use of natural resources, housing development, the provision of pure water supplies and adequate electrification, among other services. All this was done while being constrained by incompetent, corrupt and insensitive elements, who were strategically placed to obstruct the legitimate and conscientious efforts of the public service workforce, consistently denying workers their rights, which were associated with sound and established principles in full recognition of human rights, justice and fair play.

The absence of good governance, credible institutions and a civil society willing to stand up and assert itself, national unity remained fragmented and countrywide harmony seemed a very distant myth. In fact, everything was achieved under an aura of disappointment and fragmentation, as well as, undue distractions and distortions that decent and law abiding people should not have had to consider.

When considering the foregoing, I proudly salute the traditional public service workforce for their forbearance and commitment, fully conscious of the great personal sacrifice being experienced, particularly our women faced with ongoing outrageous experiences and young workers challenged with demoralising employment opportunities and an unsure future.

Following May Day 2015, on the eagerly-anticipated May 11, 2015, all of Guyana will have another opportunity to determine its choice of Governance at the National and Regional Elections. On this occasion, I would wish that there is the fullest participation of the Guyanese electorate in a peaceful and law abiding manner, consciously contributing to credible, free and fair elections, with such legitimacy that it would have a resounding acceptance by all. These elections should commence and culminate with trust and thereafter there should be a process for the creation of harmony, credible institutions, good governance, comfort, security and prevailing will and spirit of the people to look to the future with expectations and confidence that their dreams of peace, comfort and happiness would be fulfilled and in the best interest of the nation.

The GPSU, with this expectation in mind, has consciously pursued being a domestic observer in this process and has chosen to make this sacrifice, even with its limited and scarce financial resources, to assist in the validation and credibility of the processes of this most invaluable national event, in the interest of the people of Guyana. The involvement also considered the perseverance and protection of the legacy of the forefathers of the Union, whose struggles were in the interest of the enhancement of workers’ rights and quality provisions for the protection and welfare of their families, which ultimately encapsulates the goals and objectives of the GPSU, which is to protect, preserve and in that process improve, appropriately.

It is therefore in this spirit, and with this expectation, that I extend Labour Day greetings to all members of the Guyana Public Service Union, all workers of Guyana, the Caribbean and worldwide. Let us together pledge and proceed to take action in the interest of and for the betterment of all Mankind.