102nd Anniversary Message – 8th June, 2025
Historically, the GPSU was established on June 8, 1923, when 110 civil servants submitted a resolution to then Governor Thompson, which was approved, forming the British Guiana Civil Service Association (BGCSA). This bold step, taken even before the emergence of political parties in Guyana, affirmed the power of unity and collective action. In 1975, the merger with the Medical Employees Union and the renaming of the organization as the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) expanded its reach and strengthened its mandate as a national advocate for equitable Labour Representation
Today, June 8, 2025, marks not only the passage of time but a reaffirmation of who we are and what we continue to fight for: dignity, equity, rights and recognition for every Public Servant in this great nation. The legacy of the GPSU is one of endurance, service, and steadfast advocacy, which we honor and continue to build upon with pride and purpose.
Many of the rights and benefits Public Servants enjoy today were hard-fought by this Union, achieved through strikes, legal challenges, and principled negotiations. We also cannot forget the painful chapters in our history, such as the 1999 strike, where members engaged in lawful union protest but were met with intimidation, excessive force including tear gas, and even bullet wounds. These actions violated not only the rights of our members but also the spirit of democracy and peaceful protest. Such assaults on Public Servants who were exercising their constitutional rights must not be repeated or forgotten, lawful protest must be protected. We pay tribute to the pioneers who laid the foundation with courage and foresight, those who spoke out when silence was expected, and those who stood firm in the face of adversity and aggression. We also recognize the current generation of members, leaders, and allies who carry this legacy forward with determination. Their commitment ensures that the GPSU remains a vital force in shaping a just and equitable Public Service.
Over the past 102 years, the GPSU has achieved numerous landmark victories through struggles, sacrifices, and solidarity. These include constitutional recognition under Article 38G, the establishment of the Public Service Appellate Tribunal, and the Unification of the Public Service, which ended open-vote employment. The Union also spearheaded the creation of the 1959 Lamaha Gardens Housing Cooperative and the 1964 Guyana Public Service Cooperative Credit Union, born out of the hardships following the 90-day trade union strike in 1963.
Major improvements in employment conditions included the implementation of the five-day workweek, enhanced job security, improved working conditions, pension rights, a one-month tax-free vacation allowance, freedom of association and the formal recognition of collective bargaining rights. The GPSU also secured union-related leave, representation on the Public Service Commission, and advanced women’s rights, equal pay, and trade union education. Notable achievements include risk allowances and duty-free concessions for healthcare workers, non-taxable NIS allowances, and debunching of salaries.
The Union supported the ratification of International Labour Conventions and negotiated the 1976 Agency Shop Agreement, which allowed for the collection of union dues from non-members within the bargaining unit who benefited from successful negotiations and were entitled to representation. Although later nullified in 2010, it remains a landmark in our struggle for equitable representation.
The 1999 Armstrong Arbitration Award, which granted a 57.6% salary increase over two years (1999 & 2000), and several favorable court rulings, including the reinstatement of the former Comptroller of Customs, legal victories for nurses at Linden Hospital (currently under appeal), and the reinstatement of a Stores Keeper with full retroactive benefits, further demonstrated our role as defenders of workers’ rights.
In addition to legal victories, the GPSU has remained a proactive force in national economic planning. Our annual budget submissions have consistently called for:
- 40–50% salary increases
- A flat 15% income tax rate
- Annual 25% wage adjustments toward a living wage
- An increase in the income tax threshold to $200,000
- A reduction in VAT to 6%
- Non-taxable allowances for dependents and students
In 2022, the GPSU played a pivotal role in securing an increase in the private sector minimum wage from $44,200 to $60,000 per month. Today, we continue to call for a wage parity between Private and Public Sector Wages. Based on our cost-of-living analysis, a minimum net income of $224,000 per month is essential for basic needs.
While full equity remains outstanding, the 2025 National Budget reflected partial progress:
- The income tax threshold increased from $100,000 to $130,000.
- Personal income tax rates were reduced from 28% to 25% and from 40% to 35%.
- A $50,000 monthly child allowance was introduced.
A significant agreement signed on December 10, 2024, between the Ministry of Public Service and GPSU laid the foundation for ongoing improvements in working conditions, signaling a renewed commitment to constructive engagement and Public Sector Reform.
We must also mention that since the appointment of Dr. Ashni Singh as Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance and Public Service, there has been a noticeable shift towards a more respectful and constructive relationship with the GPSU. This renewed tone of engagement is promising and, if sustained, could lead to meaningful progress and a stronger partnership in addressing the needs of Public Servants.
As we press forward, GPSU reaffirms its call for greater accountability and adherence to the Rule of Law in all matters concerning Public Servants. It is imperative that governments respect and comply with Court Rulings that uphold the rights of workers, particularly those who have lawfully defended themselves and have been granted justice through legal proceedings. Justice must not be delayed, disregarded, or denied in a democracy.
Furthermore, any breaches of Public Service Rules, violations of members’ rights, whether through political interference, intimidation, or arbitrary decision-making, acts in conflict with established procedures and must be condemned and rectified. A just and professional Public Service cannot exist without respect for due process, consistency in enforcement, and ethical governance.
We also call on the President of Guyana and the Leader of the Opposition to fulfill their constitutional responsibility to appoint the Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary and the Acting Chief Justice. It would be ideal for these long-overdue appointments to be finalized before September 1, 2025, the scheduled date for the General and Regional Elections. These appointments are vital for judicial independence and public confidence.
Despite our proud record of service, the GPSU has faced deep challenges for many years. Governments who claimed to have working-class credentials have increasingly bypassed collective bargaining, arbitrarily
Equally troubling is the tendency to treat the GPSU as a political opponent rather than a legitimate stakeholder. We must remind the public and policymakers alike that the GPSU is not a political party. We are the representative voice of government employees, an institution built to advocate for their rights, welfare, and dignity, regardless of which political party is in power. Our positions are not political, they are principled. We speak not in opposition, but in defense of fairness, justice, and good governance. We ask only that we be recognized for what we are, and demand respect for our legitimate rights as a Union that stands for workers, equity, and the integrity of Public Service.
Public servants, who have contributed to decades of national development, are now too often viewed as dependents of state generosity rather than as merited professionals. While political elites benefit from disproportionate salary increases, the real wages of Public Servants are eroded by inflation, and too many are remunerated inadequately. The rise of contract labour, erosion of job security, and weakening of collective bargaining reflect not just a disregard for the GPSU, but a broader abandonment of good governance and respect for labour rights.
We demand that the Government, and all future Governments of Guyana, treat Public Servants with the respect they have earned. Let that respect be seen not only in words, speeches and campaigns, but in fair wages, better benefits, allowances, bonuses, and policies that truly value their contributions. Public Servants are not burdens; they are partners in building Guyana’s future.
In this new era of oil wealth and economic transformation, we face both opportunity and crisis. Infrastructure is expanding, but our people, our greatest resource, are leaving. Healthcare workers, teachers, and skilled professionals are migrating in search of better pay, working conditions, and respect. This brain-drain, particularly from the health sector, has become a national crisis.
Hospitals are losing experienced nurses. Clinics lack sufficient staff. Public Health systems are strained. While we welcome returning professionals, we must retain and reward those who have stayed. The culturally grounded expertise of Guyanese-trained workers is irreplaceable. We ask: What is the Government's plan to reverse this trend? How do we make Public Institutions places of growth and pride?
The GPSU calls for a comprehensive national retention strategy, including:
- Competitive compensation and benefits
- Professional development opportunities
- Affordable housing for public servants
- Clear career advancement pathways
- National and international exchange programs
Additionally, many retirees are now being recruited to work overseas, further depleting our skilled workforce. We call for an immediate review to increase the compulsory retirement age, allowing qualified individuals to continue serving the nation. Early retirement options must also be preserved for those who need them. Retaining institutional knowledge is essential for continuity and growth. Let us invest in our people as seriously as we invest in our infrastructure.
GPSU also draws attention to the critical issue of the Venezuela border controversy. Public Servants in border regions of Guyana must be fully informed of the implications of this geographic dispute and the Government's Strategy. Fair compensation in these areas is a matter of national security. Public Servants must be shielded from external influence and treated with the dignity their role demands.
Global threats such as COVID-19 and Climate Change have revealed major vulnerabilities in Guyana’s Disaster Preparedness and Public Sector Resilience. As artificial intelligence and digital technologies reshape the workforce, the GPSU supports ethical innovation that safeguards employment, ensures equity, and strengthens crisis response capacity.
We strongly endorse the Guyana Decent Work Country Programme (2025–2030), a tripartite initiative focused on Job Creation, Labour Rights, and Social Protection. These goals must remain central to National Development as we strive for a more inclusive and equitable society.
As we celebrate this 102nd Anniversary, it is also a turning point in our history, one that calls for both national vision and our internal examination. While we reflect on our journey, we also critically assess who we are today and where we must go in the future. As Guyana’s economy continues to transform being driven by oil wealth, digital innovation, and expanded infrastructure, the GPSU must also evolve to meet the demands of a changing national landscape. We are therefore undertaking a focused approach to restructuring to ensure that the Union remains relevant, resilient, and responsive to the needs of its members and to the challenges of a modern Public Sector.
The Union’s transformation is not only about advocacy; it is about equipping our Members, strengthening our Staff, and modernizing our Internal Administration. For our Members, it means enhanced representation, expanded training opportunities, and greater support in navigating the changing World of Work. For our Union Employees and Administrators, it means investments in systems, leadership development, and digital tools to improve service delivery, efficiency, and transparency equipped to lead with vision and excellence.
We are prioritizing:
- Promoting national unity and racial harmony
- Supporting women and youth
- Reviving the GPSU Certificate Programme in Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management and other advanced leadership training programmes and initiatives
- Governance reform and internal leadership strengthening
- Greater involvement in national policy-making and economic planning
- Expanding health, housing, and welfare programs
A key priority is the redevelopment of Union-owned assets into income-generating, member-serving facilities, including upgraded offices in Georgetown, Suddie and New Amsterdam, as well as the revitalization of the GPSU Sports Complex.
Brothers and Sisters, the struggle is not over. But 102 years have shown us that unity is power. This Anniversary is not just about our survival; it must be about renewal. We are not passive observers. We are stakeholders in Guyana’s development. We call on government and society alike to recognize the value of our contributions and renew their commitment to fair treatment and inclusion in policy formation.
To our Members, past and present, our Labour Allies, and every Citizen who believes in justice, we say thank you. This Anniversary is a reminder of our identity, our mission, and our unwavering commitment to progress. Let us continue to stand united in our pursuit of fairness, innovation, and National Development. Let this not only be a celebration, but a recommitment to rebuild, reform, modernize and rise together. Let us keep Trade Unionism alive and relevant.
In Solidarity, Happy 102nd Anniversary!
God bless our Mission and Purpose. God Bless our Unity. God Bless the Guyana Public Service. And God Bless us all.
June 8 2025