FIGHTING to remain in office after decades of being at the helm, President of the Guyana Public Service Union, Patrick Yarde on Monday said that there was a massive political movement and other involvement in the union’s still to be declared elections.

Yarde said in a Labour Day message that the ‘massive political involvement’ was with a “clear and determined assignment to create multiple divisions in the rank of our members and to discredit and decapitate the leadership of the Union.”

Gregory Gaspar, who had challenged Yarde at the polls, has expressed confidence in defeating the veteran trade unionist. “Our tenure of renewal in office as an executive being due in 2017 action was taken in accordance with our rules correctly and transparently to comply with this process in a most cost-effective and professional manner. While we were alerted and sensitive to certain irritants, we eventually recognised there was a massive political and other involvement in our elections process…”

This movement, Yarde said has encountered difficulty and the failure to obstruct the holding of elections; orchestrated with intensified focus on misleading and threatening members, disrupting the counting of votes and undermining the credibility of the election process. “The instances of unprofessional, unethical conduct, overwhelming dishonesty and a vicious campaign to dislodge the serving leaders were evident and abominable.

It is clear to your union leaders that we are faced with a situation to defend ourselves from an attacking element that we helped to create in the fight for justice, however unfortunate. We are confident that we can overcome this unwarranted assault, it has somewhat fragmented our union in an undesirable manner. However, we will not allow this misfortune to restrain our struggle for progress nor discourage us,” the GPSU head stated.

He said in eliminating “the obstacles in our way, we must mobilise now to confront the existing injustices in order to etch out a future that is built on fairness, justice and human rights. “As a public-sector union, we recognise and are confident that we are integral to the foundation of a just and democratic society and that our fight is a fight for all. On behalf of the Executive Council I extend best wishes to all workers for a Happy May Day 2017,” Yarded statement ended.