VICE-President of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), Dawn Gardner on Monday said that discussions continue between the Union and the Government, and that the nurses are being updated on the situation.

After weeks of public protests by several healthcare workers, particularly nurses, calling for better pay and risk allowances, the GPSU and the government on Wednesday last signed an agreement for the commencement of negotiations between the two sides, and the suspension of a planned countrywide strike.
The Union has since been mum on the details of the agreement, or the way forward with the situation.

“The discussions are ongoing; that’s the most I can say right now,” was all that Gardner would offer when contacted on Monday by this newspaper.
She said that notwithstanding the lack of information to the public, the nurses are being updated.

“We have been meeting with them; the nurses have been updated very often. I don’t want to comment on that, because I would want the Union’s position on what we’re going to do; I wouldn’t want it to be just Dawn Gardner’s position,” Gardner said.

Gardner is reportedly the Union’s signatory to the agreement, while Government adviser, Dr. Jennifer Westford, is said to have signed on behalf of the Government.
Gardner said she would not share when the Union is next expected to meet with the committee that will represent the Government’s side.