Brief History of GPSU
The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) wasfounded on the 8th June, 1923, when 110 Civil Servants met in St. Andrew’s Hall in Georgetown and unanimously passed a resolution approving an approach being made to the Governor to authorize the formation of the British Guiana Civil Service Association. The Governor was approached and he readily accorded his sanction to its formation. It was formerly registered No. 55 as a Trade Union on
the 5th November 1948.
This organization was first named the British Guiana Civil Service Association (BGCSA). Its Industrial Relations activities began during an era when the country was administered by a Colonial Administration in Great Britain and served by a Governor and other Functionaries here.
In 1972, the name was changed from Civil Service Association to the Public Service Union. In 1975, there was a merger with the Medical Employees Union (MEU), and the name of the Association was changed from Public Service Association to the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU).
Housing Co-op
Noting the acute shortage of houses, members of B.G.C.S.A. formed a housing Coop and pooled their resources to acquire land for a housing scheme. This came to fruition in 1959, thus giving birth to the area known today as “Lamaha Gardens”.
Public Service Credit Union
In 1964, following a 90 days strike the B.G.C.S.A. once again took a decision to form the British Guiana Civil Service Credit Union, now known as the Guyana Public Service Co-operative Credit Union. One of the richest Credit Union in the country
Organisational Hierarchy
Biennial Delegates Conference - This is the highest decision making forum of the Union where representatives from each branch gather every two years to evaluate the Union’s performance.
General Council - meets twice per year. It supervises the Executive Council between Biennial Delegates Conferences. Each branch shall have one representative on the General Council.
Executive Council – is the third highest decision making forum of the Union which reports to the General Council. Members of the Executive Council are democratically elected by the Union’s membership to serve for a period of four (4) years and are eligible for re-election.
Branch Executives and Section Steering Committees – A branch comprises a minimum of fifty members within an organisation and is headed by a chairman and branch executive who are elected by Union members within the organization. Where the number is less than fifty, the group is defined as a Section and headed by a steering committee elected in similar manner to a branch.
Standing Committees Within GPSU
- Administrative Committee
- Industrial Relations Committee
- Public Relations Committee
- Membership Committee
- Education Committee
- Social & Cultural Committee
- Women’s Advisory Committee
- Finance Committee
- Sports Committee
- Youth Committee
- Race Relations, Equality & Human Rights Committee
- Organising Committee - Economic, Research & Project Committee
- OSH Committee