Dear Editor,
AT this juncture, the 93rd anniversary of our existence, it is an occasion that we reflect on our history and in so doing identify the achievements as a union and particularly those that were gained at great sacrifice and were compromised to the significant disadvantage of our members and ultimately inflicted injustice on deserving workers. These hard-won gains and full recovery must be foremost on our agenda as we pursue our vision to enhance representation for our members’ part, including the modernisation and efficient and effective performance of public servants to the pursuit of quality public service in the nation’s interest.
Towards this objective it is necessary to retrace the steps of our forefathers to the current situation. We have travelled through the period of colonialisation, internal self-government, and independence as a nation and eventually the elevation of republican status within the Commonwealth. From an analysis of this journey and the leaders of Government over this period, it is undoubtedly from the evidence that the Guyana Public Service Union’s greatest achievements were during the period that Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham led the Government of Guyana, both as Prime Minister and President. I have concluded this based on the following:
– Land to the Civil Service Association
– Land for recreational facilities
– Five-day work week
– Unification of the public service
– Trade Union leave for members
– Avoidance and settlement of disputes agreement
– Agency shop agreement
– Check-off agreement
– Making collective agreements legally binding
– One month salary tax-free vacation allowance
– Re-employment agreement
– Secondment agreement for members to serve fulltime with the union
– The amendment to the constitution to facilitate the Public Service Appellate Tribunal
– Among many others
These goals were achieved without compromising our independence as a union fully committed to our motto “Justice for the public employee” in pursuit of our duties and obligations. I say this to emphasise that contrary to malicious statements that our forefathers affiliated the Guyana Public Service Union to a political party.
Today, we struggle to enforce these rights which was ruthlessly violated by subsequent Governments; our Agency Shop Agreement was violated in 1987, restored in 1988 and once again violated again in 2000 and remains the same to date; our Avoidance and Settlement of Disputes Agreement was continuously abused. However, we look forward to the commitment given to respect collective bargaining being implemented; our check-off agreement has been repeatedly compromised; our recreational facilities were, in the most anti-working class fashion lawlessly attempted to be wrestled from the members – fortunately because of a change of government we still occupy this property and hope that it would be fully restored and regularised to its former glory fully under the control of the GPSU.
We are duty bound and determined therefore to restore these valuable achievements which were realised by great sacrifice and efforts by our forefathers on whose shoulders we now stand.
Undoubtedly, we are operating in an environment that is in pursuit of good governance and justice for the working class. In such an atmosphere with unity of purpose within the ranks of the membership and leadership, being firm and resolute there will be greater achievements ahead. As workers and a people having experienced 50 years as an independent nation, I extend to loyal, dedicated and committed members the heartiest anniversary greetings. Long live the Guyana Public Service Union.
Regards
Patrick Yarde