GPSU still awaiting word on way forward

Linden sweeper/cleaners protest

A day after part-time sweeper/cleaners employed by the Region 10 (Upper Demerara- Berbice) Regional Democratic Council (RDC) staged a protest for better salary and improved working conditions, Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) Regional Representative, Maurice Butters has indicated that the Union is currently awaiting word on the way forward.
The female workers, attached to various schools across Linden, were summoned to a meeting by Regional Executive Officer (REO) Maylene Stephen following the protest on Wednesday.
According to Butters, who was part of the meeting, the REO has made a promise to make enquiries as to the way forward for the employees.
“We were able to get somewhere, though it (meeting) was not as productive as expected,” Butters noted. He said the REO claimed not to have any information regarding a raise of pay for the employees, though, he noted, there was an announcement regarding same by Minister of State Joseph Harmon.
This, Butters said, has already seen sweeper/cleaners from Georgetown who were in a similar position benefiting. “She (REO) promised to get answers and said she would let us know as soon as she gets through,” the GPSU representative went on to state.
He further accused the regional administration of not being proactive regarding the workers issues and fearful of making independent decisions. He went on to state that the Union had previously met with the Education Ministry, where representation was made in relation to the workers issues and it is also awaiting word from the Ministry.
According to the employees, they are dissatisfied with a number of issues, including their meagre salary and “deplorable” working conditions. The female employees, who stood outside the RDC building on Wednesday  holding placards, made demands for their positions to be “regularised” so that they can be paid at least the minimum wage, as they pointed out that the current $24,740 they receive presently is insufficient. The protesters also made demands for the provision of working gear and improved working conditions.
Some revealed that they were never given work contracts to sign and are not being paid via a banking system, but rather receive their payments via envelopes, instead of a payslip. They contended that though they work for four hours daily, their jobs are just as strenuous as employees who work for eight hours. The employees noted that a promise for raise of pay also went unfulfilled.