RULE 1. TITLE AND OFFICE:
(a) The Union shall be called "The Guyana Public Service Union: (hereinafter referred to as the Union).
(b) The Registered Office of the Union and place of meeting for its business shall be at 160 Regent Street & Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown, or such other place as may be decided upon by the General Council of the Union.
RULE 2. OBJECTS:
The objects of the Union shall be:
- (a) To secure the organisation in the Union of all employees in the Guyana Public Service, Commissions, Authorities, Regional Administrations, Municipalities, workers employed in any service enterprise, workers in general or otherwise specified in Rule 3(a)
(b) To maintain and improve the standard and efficiency of the Public Sector, and all other agencies where members are employed.
(c) To promote mutual respect and goodwill amongst the various branches of the Public Sector in Guyana, and to encourage loyalty and co-operation in the best interest of Public Sector Employees and of the Public.
(d) To promote harmonious relations and to represent grievances of members to Government and other employers etc. with the desired intention of amicable agreement, whenever possible.
(e) To provide for member and their families trade union benefits.
(f) To pursue by all legitimate means possible the enactment of the constitutional right for all workers including the members of the army and police force to enjoy the right to be members of a trade union and to join a trade union of their choice.
(g) To organize all skilled unemployed and jointly pursue with them the achievement of their desire to have gainful employment. 2
(h) To fund and operate any scheme intended to promote the career development and economic welfare of members and their families.
(i) To acquire or dispose of movable or immovable property.
(j) To promote legislation in the interests of its members.
(k) To further financially or otherwise the work or purpose of any association or national body having as its objects the promotion of the interests of Public Sector Employees and workers in general or trade unionism.
(l) To establish or carry on, or participate (financially or other-wise) in the business of the printing or publishing of a general newspaper or newspapers or of any other undertaking, industrial or otherwise, in the interest of, and with the main purpose of furthering the interests of the Union, of Public Sector Employees or of Trade Unionism generally.
(m) To have an active role in ensuring the practice and observance of good governance and respect for civil and human rights, civil liberties, fair dealing and equality.
(n) To promote racial harmony, cultural and religious acceptance and tolerance among members and the wider society.
- (o) Generally to promote the material, social, cultural and educational welfare of the members, and to do such other things that are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objects in any lawful manner which a Delegates' Conference of the Union or the General Council of the Union may from time to time deem expedient.
(p) To grant refundable assistance to members and make, donations or grants to members, vulnerable persons, public bodies and kindred interest bodies for charitable or benevolent objects.
RULE 3. MEMBERSHIP:
(a) (i) Ordinary membership of the Union shall be opened to any person employed in the Public Sector of Guyana which for the purpose of these rules shall include all employees of Government whether central, regional or local, together with those of all Public Boards, Committees, Authorities and Corporations and such other quasi Public Sector Agencies, whose employees the Executive Council of the Union consider as qualifying for membership “or any such 3
other group of service workers that had once qualified for membership in keeping with the above or employed in kindred Organize Unions or such other groups of workers that the General Council may consider it expedient to Organize.” An ordinary member may continue to enjoy that status even if he/she ceases to be employed as long as he/she so desire.
(ii) Associate membership shall be open to:
- (a) any person who was previously an ordinary member of the Union and wishes to continue the relationship by paying a lower rate of subscription.
(b) any member of overseas sister organisations serving in Guyana, provided that members of the Union receive reciprocal treatment in that country;
(c) and any person who does not qualify under (a) and (b) but who, in the opinion of the Executive Council, is deemed to be worthy of associate membership;
(d) an associate member may pay subscription at the rate of 75%, 50% or 25% of the current rate of subscription and shall enjoy proportionate benefit.
(iii) (a) Honorary membership may be bestowed by a Biennial Delegates' Conference on the recommendation of the General Council, on members, former members and other persons in the community who have been adjudged worthy.
(b) An Honorary Member shall not be required to pay any subscription to the Union, but shall be entitled to the benefits of an Associate Member for the rest of his/her life.
- (b) Every candidate for admission shall not be less than 16 years of age and on applying for admission shall pay one month’s subscription or give an authorisation for deduction of Union Dues. No candidate shall be deemed to be a member of the Union until the first month’s subscription has been paid into the Union, either directly or by way of deduction (check-off) from the pay of the candidate. "Provided that persons recruited into the Public Sector after 1st March 1976 in areas falling within the bargaining units of the Guyana Public Service Union, shall automatically become members upon their recruitment, unless they exercise option of not becoming members at the time of their recruitment, where upon they are required to pay to the Union the equivalent of Union Dues as Agency Fees in keeping with the Agency Shop Agreement entered into between the Public Service
MORE TO COME - 18 April, 2019