PRESSURE is building on long-standing President of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), Patrick Yarde, to step aside and allow fresh faces to run that trade union organisation.
Yarde has been at the helm of the GPSU for decades and challenges to his presidency by younger members have not been successful over the years. On Monday, members of the union gathered outside of its Shiv Chanderpaul Drive headquarters voicing their dissatisfaction with Yarde’s leadership.
One of the protestors, Jermaine Hermanstine, explained that the leadership of the GPSU has not been changed for approximately 30 years. They are of the view that Yarde is too ‘comfortable’ in his seat as President.
This comfort, the protesters say, has been abused. “The representation for public servants has been minimal and they are “not getting what they deserve,” Hermanstine said. He also noted that persons are being discriminated against by the Union despite paying their dues. “This has gone unnoticed for too long and it is time we take back our union,” said another protestor.
The demonstrators pointed out that in-house transparency is lacking, in terms of the executive body of the GPSU. As such, the protesters indicated that it is a concern that they will continue to fight to address once they receive the requisite support from their fellow public servants. Hermanstine said if their ‘peaceful’ protest does not work, they will resort to legal action against Yarde. Efforts to contact Yarde for a comment were unsuccessful. However, the union has sent out a media advisory for a news conference slated for today. The conference will address matters relative to the GPSU’s election of office-bearers and other related and relevant matters.