The Guyana Public Service Union wrote to the Permanent Secretary, Public Service Ministry on July 7th, 2021, detailing the breaches and violations of Agreements and Conventions by the Government of Guyana and reneged their obligations and lawful requirements, mainly vis a vis:
1. The Agreement between the Government of Guyana and the Guyana Public Service Union for the Avoidance and Settlement of Disputes
2. Section 23 (1) of the Trade Union Recognition Act 1997
3. International Labour Organisation Conventions 98 and 154.
Those breaches and violations were brought to the attention of His Excellency Dr. Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister Mark Phillips, Attorney General Anil Nandalall, Minister of Public Service Sonia Parag, International Labour Organisation Director General Guy Ryder, Public Services International General Secretary Rosa Pavaneli, PSI Sub Regional Secretary Sandra Massiah.
Below, please see body of letter to the Permanent Secretary.
Dear Permanent Secretary,
BREACH OF LEGALLY BINDING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE
GOVERNMENT OF GUYANA AND THE GUYANA PUBLIC SERVICE UNION.
The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), in several letters during the period September 1, 2020 and the most recent being April 27, 2021 requested urgent meetings to commence outstanding negotiations for wages, salaries and allowances for the years 2020 and 2021. This request was made in keeping with Clause 6 of the “Agreement for the Avoidance and Settlement of Disputes” between the Government of Guyana (GOG) and the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU). In this regard, those letters were neither acknowledged nor were efforts made to set a meeting date to commence negotiations, even though reminders were sent. The failure to take action to convene the requested meeting and the blatant disregard of both the requests and subsequent reminders constitute a breach of the legally binding agreement between the parties and is in conflict with Section 23 (1) of the Trade Union Recognition Act which requires the employer to bargain in good faith and enter into negotiations with each other for the purpose of collective bargaining.
It should be noted that there is an astronomically increase in the cost of living and the last salary increase was granted in 2019, and allowances were reviewed more than two decades ago. The purchasing power of workers has decreased significantly. Just a few days ago there was an increase of five dollars for every liter of gasoline which resulted in excess burden on the pockets of workers, tasked with executing Government’s policies and collecting its revenues.
As the employer, Government has shown disdain and disregard for both the workers in the Public Service and their representative, which has sullied its much lofted claim as being a caring working class Government and a respecter of the ‘Laws of Guyana’.
The flouting of the aforementioned agreement and the ignoring of the plight of Public Service workers and pensioners is evidence enough of the lack of care and/or consideration for persons who are giving and have given yeoman service to this nation. Memory lane also provides a sterling example of the shabby treatment of the healthcare sector, which has mainly been besieged since 2020 by the need to protect the populace and themselves from the ravages of COVID-19. This is especially sad since there was an agreement that risk allowances are deserving and should be paid to all healthcare workers during the deadly pandemic, but several months later there has been no payout nor any related announcement.
Permanent Secretary, the posturing of the Government of Guyana is unjustifiable, unwarranted, bias and discriminatory. As the Employer, the Government should honour and respect its obligations in the existing binding agreement.
The GPSU therefore takes this opportunity to remind you of your responsibility as the employer’s representative and hereby request that an urgent meeting date be set during the week beginning July 12, 2021 to commence negotiations for wages, salaries and allowances for the years 2020 and 2021.
Yours sincerely,
Dawn Gardener
1st Vice President
f/Patrick M. Yarde
PRESIDENT/CEO