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GPSU observes 85th anniversary…Yarde calls on members to learn from past experiences
Under the theme “Proud of our performance, modernising to improve service to members,” the Guyana Public Service Union yesterday observed its 85th anniversary with a call from its president, Patrick Yarde, for members to learn from past experiences.
In a message marking the occasion, Yarde reminisced that the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), which was founded as the British Guiana Civil Service Association, was established with the primary objective of having a cooperative relationship with the existing Government on the premise of safeguarding the interest of the civil servant, advancing their welfare, and promoting the public interest.
“Looking back, we are immensely thankful to our forefathers for their insight and vision, for the need is even greater now to protect our members, especially public servants, from injustice.”
Yarde opined that, despite many encouraging signs during the earlier years, since independence there has been a notable turnaround. ”Looking at our rich history, our achievements and the great strides we made, no one could have imagined how conditions would have digressed, now forty-two (42) years after independence, from the levels once attained.
“At the commencement of our existence as the British Guiana Civil Service Association, there was the recognition of a relationship of mutual respect between the employer and employee representatives. It was arranged that the representatives would always be given access to the employer should the need arise, with the view of discussing and resolving differences that may have arisen between conflicting parties.
I am deeply saddened that, within the last decade or so, that relationship has deteriorated often to an extent that the employer, the Government of Guyana, lacks sensitivity to justice and fair treatment, can be openly hostile, even displaying unwillingness to be civil.”
Yarde pointed out that, “The relationship is confrontational by the employer’s conduct, which has repeatedly arrogantly and autocratically disregarded international fundamental principles and standards for workers’ rights that were ratified by the Parliament of Guyana without dissent, and which are intended to regulate the relationship between the two parties”.
He added that there is often an arbitrary abuse of authority in imposing conditions of service which are to be negotiated based on existing legally binding agreements between the Government and the union.
“We are deeply concerned about the future of both our members and the public service, because of the tendency of the employer, the Government’s apparent determination to politicize the public service and to ignore the requirement that, while a public servant should faithfully discharge ( legitimately) policies of the Government, they must be professional and impartial in the performance of their duties, particularly in dealing with the public, regardless of party in office.”
Yarde went on to note that notwithstanding what he described as “our man-made difficulties created by those who have benefited and elevated to the offices they now occupy”, the union’s membership had not limited its focus to traditional industrial relations issues and had given serious attention to crime, corruption, health care, national stability, poverty, and more recently torture.
“Our intentions have been good, honourable, and in the national interest. We would continue to do so, and be vigilant in pursuit of good governance, regardless of any threat of political discrimination.”
The GPSU president concluded by stressing that members must re-organise, re-energise and be rejuvenated in the quest to modernize the entity as they attempt to build on the sound foundations laid by those before them.
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