THE Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) wishes to extend season’s greetings to its members, friends, well-wishers and the general public on this auspicious occasion.

The year 2018 has been a year filled with opportunities, challenges and great potential and without a doubt the Guyanese people would express disappointment and frustration with the leadership exhibited by several sections of the population. We need to have more confidence in the environment within. Instead of being inclusive, it has been characterised by the lack of compliance leading to arbitrariness in decision-making, the misuse of power, the undermining of existing laws and established procedures dealing with industrial relations. Certainly, this behaviour is tantamount to anti-working class policies and must be corrected forthwith.

In 2019 we hope to achieve improved conditions in the quality of life and welfare of the people we represent. We’ll endeavour with the commitment and support of the government to have collective decision-making. We envision all in unity, solidarity and good governance. We expect the government also to do its part and take responsibility for fairer treatment of its human resources, without which no government can function.

The union advises that you take time out from your demanding schedules and spend quality time with your families and in groups; that you brainstorm your experiences and achievements as well as your concerns and displeasures over the past year, and perhaps plan and determine how to improve on those achievements and overcome those obstacles in the coming year.

Of major concern to the leadership of the GPSU has been the insensitivity and ill-treatment of the most vulnerable group of workers in the public sector – the sweeper/cleaners of schools, the fortnightly paid workers of MMA/ADA, workers of the Anna Regina Town Council and such similar lowly paid workers.

As we sit and reflect in our minds on the main purpose for the season, let’s put into practice Christ’s message of love and selflessness towards others, commit to help those in need and be each others’ keeper. May God bless you and your families with health, strength and togetherness.