GPSU Head implicitly criticises PNC under Granger’s leadership

As the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) reflected on its 96 years of existence, it has praised the strides it made under the Burnham-led People’s National Congress (PNC) Government while noting its concerns about the inadequate remuneration being paid to public servants under the present Administration.

GPSU President Patrick Yarde

GPSU President Patrick Yarde had stated that under the leadership of Linden Forbes Burnham, all the International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions which protected trade union rights and workers’ rights were ratified, adding the local Constitution was also amended to make all collective agreements legally binding.
In the GPSU statement to the media, while reflecting on the challenging years it faced and the battles it encountered during the period, it is still concerned about the challenges affecting public service workers under the present Administration.
High on the list of concerns was inadequate remuneration for workers in the public sector.
Only last September, teachers were forced to take to the streets to demand better wages and working conditions after failed talks with the Education Ministry. Against this backdrop, the GPSU pointed to the need for a restoration of a collective bargaining process even as it called for health insurance for its members.
Another major bugbear for the Union is the sweeper-cleaners’ contract, which it believes should be made permanent for those workers to be treated as full-time employees. Sweeper-cleaners too had found themselves on the streets protesting the conditions under which they work, back in 2018.
The Education Ministry later disclosed that approval was granted for sweeper-cleaners to be paid the minimum hourly wage of $312 each hour they work; guaranteed 12 months’ pay with their working hours not exceeding eight hours per day and five days per week, and be allowed to work at least 20 days per month for the entire calendar year.
The sweepers-cleaners were granted at least 12 working days annually as paid annual leave, which would be utilised during school breaks. Prior to the decision, the sweeper-cleaners were paid $24,740 monthly and worked four to six hours per day.
A GPSU representative, Maurice Butters, had explained that while he was happy with the decision, the circular is vague and does not specify when or how the system of regularisation would be implemented.
On another note, the GPSU also pointed out that it would like to see the payment of full gratuity for employees on maternity leave and moreover, child/day-care centres be set up for public service workers.
The Union would also like to see the age of retirement increase, among other recommendations. It said it believed there was a tendency to impose conditions of service on public servants rather than negotiate, which is an obstruction to workers’ trade union rights and due process.
“For us, it is most disturbing that after all the sacrifices, effort and suffering we have endured in the interest of good governance and for our members to be entitled to fair treatment, this has not materialised. It is also appalling that promises that were repeated to us are not being fulfilled. We have been very patient and restrained, but it is now obvious to us what we are up against. Looking ahead, we must move on with confidence and peace, faith in our abilities to demand fair treatment, respect and value for our contributions,” the Union said in its missive.
In November last year, Union President Yarde expressed great disgust over the current salaries and benefits public servants are receiving. In Yarde’s view, public servants are receiving “poverty payments” for salaries.

Salaries
A few days later, the Government announced a 0.5 to seven per cent increase in wages for public servants.